Equine Herpesvirus Found on Both U.S. CoastsBy Kentucky Equine Research Staff · February 8, 2012
Horses in California and North Carolina have been diagnosed with the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The North Carolina case is the first ever for that state. All affected horses have been quarantined.
EHV-1 is highly contagious among horses, though it is not a threat to humans. The virus is spread by contact with respiratory or nasal secretions from an infected horse, but because some horses are asymptomatic carriers (harboring the virus but showing no signs of illness), it is difficult to track or prevent the spread of disease.
Vaccination is not completely effective in protecting horses from infection with the various strains of equine herpesvirus. However, vaccinated horses usually have milder cases if they are infected. Regular vaccination of asymptomatic carriers also has been shown to reduce the rate at which these horses shed the virus.
Disease prevention is best accomplished by keeping all horses on a vaccination schedule as advised by a veterinarian; isolating all sick horses and also those that are newly arrived on a property; avoiding sharing buckets, tack, and grooming equipment among horses; and having handlers tend to sick horses after tending to healthy ones and washing their hands before and after tending horses.
