Equine Herpes Virus type 1
2006 Outbreak Information
An outbreak of neurologic Equine Herpes Virus type 1 occurred in late 2006 and involved a group of 15 horses shipped from Germany that were subsequently shipped to 8 states. Five of the horses went to Florida; this resulted in 13 horses identified as infected, with neurologic signs in seven cases and 6 associated deaths. Ten Florida premises were quarantined. One horse was shipped to California from the original group from Germany and died shortly after arrival due to the neurologic form of EHV-1. The exposed horses were identified, and the horses that were shipped to the remaining 6 states were quarantined and monitored for EHV-1 signs; none were found. The Florida outbreak was identified and confirmed as a neurologic EHV-1 outbreak through laboratory-confirmation of the presence of the neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 or EHV-4 and clinical signs consistent with the neurologic syndrome.
Veterinary Services statements related to the 2006 outbreak:
- USDA APHIS VS statement on the equine herpes virus situation, January 5, 2007
- USDA APHIS VS statement on the equine herpes virus situation, December 29, 2006
EHV-1 Emerging Disease Notice
Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy: A Potentially Emerging Disease (USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Center for Emerging Issues)
Disease Information
EHV-1 can be a serious disease of horses that can cause abortion and death. Clinical signs include high fever, neurological symptoms and nasal discharge. The virus can spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands. EHV-1 is endemic to the United States and is usually handled by the states involved. In this instance, the shipment of horses was divided and shipped to multiple states. Since the animals crossed state lines, USDA is assisting involved parties by tracing the animals’ path from entry to end point.
- Diseases of the Horse Caused by Equine Herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) – A Bibliography of Source Materials, provided by the University of Kentucky Gluck Equine Research Center
Additional Information
- State Web sites with EVH-1 information
- Florida - equine herpes virus type1 outbreak information and status reports for Florida
- California - equine herpes virus-1 alert for California
- Kentucky - equine herpes virus investigation information
- EVH-1 events in 2005 - information from the 2005 U.S. Animal Health Report