Equine
herpesvirus infections have been highlighted in many news articles
since they are very common in horse populations.This results in
sporadic outbreaks in equine populations. Therefore, it is good to be
familiar with the types of equine herpesviruses, clinical signs
associated with the disease, transmission, diagnosis, treatment and
especially, ways to protect your horses from infection.
Types of Equine Herpesvirus
The incubation period (period of time from exposure to development of first clinical signs) ranges from 2 to 10 days.
Respiratory signs for EHV-1 and EHV-4 include fever of 102 -107ยบ F that lasts for 1-7 days, coughing, depression, inappetence (going off feed), and nasal discharge.Abortion usually occurs between months 7 and 11 of gestation, about 2-12 weeks after infection.
There is no evidence that the mare's reproductive tract is damaged, and it does not affect her ability to conceive in later pregnancies.
Signs of neurologic disease for EHV-1 and EHV-4 include mild incoordination, hindlimb paralysis, recumbency (lying down and being unable to get up), loss of bladder and tail function, and loss of sensation to the skin around the tail and hindlimb areas.
Transmission
Transmission occurs when infected and uninfected horses come in either direct (nose to nose contact) or indirect (through buckets, clothing, blankets that are contaminated) contact with nasal discharges of infected horses.
The virus can travel via aerosol (in the air) for short distances.The virus may also be transmitted by contact with aborted fetuses, placental fluids, or placentas from infected horses.Also, following infection, horses may become latent carriers of EHV; virus may be reactivated after stress or high doses of corticosteroids.
Upon detection of clinical signs suggestive of EHV, the veterinarian may choose to take a nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) swab of the horse, blood sample, or tissue from the aborted fetus for detection of virus in the tissues. Paired blood samples for detection of antibody titers (levels) may also be taken.Treatment involves supportive care and treatment of the symptoms. Non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs are commonly used to reduce fever, pain and inflammation.In uncomplicated cases, complete recovery will occur in a few weeks.Horses with neurological disease have variable recovery rates depending on severity of the clinical signs. The prognosis is poor if the horse is recumbent (unable to stand) for an extended period of time. The horse should be rested until fully recovered and gradually returned to work.
Protection
There are two types of vaccines available for use in the horse for prevention of the disease, but their use remains controversial.Vaccination may reduce the severity and duration of disease, but will not totally prevent the disease. Your equine veterinarian should be consulted regarding the most appropriate use of vaccination in your particular circumstance.Since latent infection is still a problem, vaccination must go hand-in hand with the use of best management practices.
There are both modified live virus and killed virus vaccines available.The modified live virus vaccine contains virus that has been altered to make it unlikely to cause disease but is still able to reproduce in the body cells and stimulate immunity.The killed vaccine contains virus that has been inactivated or killed using either heat or chemicals. The modified live vaccine is administered intranasally and offers quicker protection.There is no scientific basis to indicate that the modified live vaccine will cause disease. The killed vaccine is given intramuscularly. Vaccine usage in light of the recent outbreaks of neurological EHV-1 is currently being re-evaluated.Consult your veterinarian for recommendations.
In order to prevent an outbreak, horses arriving on a farm from other locations should be isolated for 3-4 weeks before being introduced into the resident horse population.Reduce management-related stressors that may increase the possibility of stress-induced reactivation of latent EHV-1 in carrier horses. Keep horses separated by physiological state or group, especially with regards to pregnant mares, who should be kept away from weanlings, yearlings, and performance horses that frequently travel.
In the case of an outbreak, infected horses should be isolated from other horses.The stable should be quarantined for at least three weeks after signs of clinical disease in the last case subside. All stable equipment should be disinfected. People handling the infected horses should be sure to wash their hands after handling each horse, dip their shoes in a disinfecting foot bath, and change clothes before working with healthy horses. Some sources suggest that bedding be removed and burned. Barn stalls, aisles and other surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected as well.Although this virus can last for several weeks in the environment, it is readily killed by most common disinfectants; phenol based disinfectants are commonly used.
Equine herpesvirus infection can become a serious problem.Being aware of the types of equine herpesvirus, clinical signs associated with the disease, transmission, diagnosis, treatment and especially, ways to protect your horses from infection, will aid you if there is an outbreak in your area. Incorporating measures to protect your horse now may prevent problems in the future.
Sources:
1.Merck & Co. Inc.Merck Veterinary Manual. 2006. www.merckvetmanual.com
2.Powell, DG. Equine rhinopneumonitis. Horse Industry Handbook, 1993, 610-1-5.
3.McClogan, Carrie.A case scenario: equine respiratory disease. Department of Pathology, University of Georgia.Available at www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/IVM/ENG/ERD/EHV-4and1.html
4. Personal communication, Dr. Sanchez, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Types of Equine Herpesvirus
- Equine
herpesviruses (EHV) are in the family Alphaherpesviridae and are
enveloped double stranded DNA viruses.
- There
are 5 alpha herpesviruses that infect horses (EHV-1, 2, 3, 4, and
5).For the purposes of this fact sheet, we will focus on EHV-1 and
EHV-4, which are the two that result in serious clinical disease in
the horse.
- EHV-1
and EHV-4 used to be considered subtypes of the same virus, but are
now recognized as closely related but different viruses.
- EHV-1
is commonly found in horse populations worldwide and was previously
referred to as the equine abortion virus.Although EHV-1 is well
known for causing reproductive disease, it is also known to cause
respiratory and neurological disease.
- EHV-4
is also known as equine rhinopneumonitis virus and is most common
among foals and yearlings. Although EHV-4 most commonly causes
respiratory disease, it can also cause abortion and neurological
disease.
The incubation period (period of time from exposure to development of first clinical signs) ranges from 2 to 10 days.
Respiratory signs for EHV-1 and EHV-4 include fever of 102 -107ยบ F that lasts for 1-7 days, coughing, depression, inappetence (going off feed), and nasal discharge.Abortion usually occurs between months 7 and 11 of gestation, about 2-12 weeks after infection.
There is no evidence that the mare's reproductive tract is damaged, and it does not affect her ability to conceive in later pregnancies.
Signs of neurologic disease for EHV-1 and EHV-4 include mild incoordination, hindlimb paralysis, recumbency (lying down and being unable to get up), loss of bladder and tail function, and loss of sensation to the skin around the tail and hindlimb areas.
Transmission
Transmission occurs when infected and uninfected horses come in either direct (nose to nose contact) or indirect (through buckets, clothing, blankets that are contaminated) contact with nasal discharges of infected horses.
The virus can travel via aerosol (in the air) for short distances.The virus may also be transmitted by contact with aborted fetuses, placental fluids, or placentas from infected horses.Also, following infection, horses may become latent carriers of EHV; virus may be reactivated after stress or high doses of corticosteroids.
Upon detection of clinical signs suggestive of EHV, the veterinarian may choose to take a nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) swab of the horse, blood sample, or tissue from the aborted fetus for detection of virus in the tissues. Paired blood samples for detection of antibody titers (levels) may also be taken.Treatment involves supportive care and treatment of the symptoms. Non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drugs are commonly used to reduce fever, pain and inflammation.In uncomplicated cases, complete recovery will occur in a few weeks.Horses with neurological disease have variable recovery rates depending on severity of the clinical signs. The prognosis is poor if the horse is recumbent (unable to stand) for an extended period of time. The horse should be rested until fully recovered and gradually returned to work.
Protection
There are two types of vaccines available for use in the horse for prevention of the disease, but their use remains controversial.Vaccination may reduce the severity and duration of disease, but will not totally prevent the disease. Your equine veterinarian should be consulted regarding the most appropriate use of vaccination in your particular circumstance.Since latent infection is still a problem, vaccination must go hand-in hand with the use of best management practices.
There are both modified live virus and killed virus vaccines available.The modified live virus vaccine contains virus that has been altered to make it unlikely to cause disease but is still able to reproduce in the body cells and stimulate immunity.The killed vaccine contains virus that has been inactivated or killed using either heat or chemicals. The modified live vaccine is administered intranasally and offers quicker protection.There is no scientific basis to indicate that the modified live vaccine will cause disease. The killed vaccine is given intramuscularly. Vaccine usage in light of the recent outbreaks of neurological EHV-1 is currently being re-evaluated.Consult your veterinarian for recommendations.
In order to prevent an outbreak, horses arriving on a farm from other locations should be isolated for 3-4 weeks before being introduced into the resident horse population.Reduce management-related stressors that may increase the possibility of stress-induced reactivation of latent EHV-1 in carrier horses. Keep horses separated by physiological state or group, especially with regards to pregnant mares, who should be kept away from weanlings, yearlings, and performance horses that frequently travel.
In the case of an outbreak, infected horses should be isolated from other horses.The stable should be quarantined for at least three weeks after signs of clinical disease in the last case subside. All stable equipment should be disinfected. People handling the infected horses should be sure to wash their hands after handling each horse, dip their shoes in a disinfecting foot bath, and change clothes before working with healthy horses. Some sources suggest that bedding be removed and burned. Barn stalls, aisles and other surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected as well.Although this virus can last for several weeks in the environment, it is readily killed by most common disinfectants; phenol based disinfectants are commonly used.
Equine herpesvirus infection can become a serious problem.Being aware of the types of equine herpesvirus, clinical signs associated with the disease, transmission, diagnosis, treatment and especially, ways to protect your horses from infection, will aid you if there is an outbreak in your area. Incorporating measures to protect your horse now may prevent problems in the future.
Sources:
1.Merck & Co. Inc.Merck Veterinary Manual. 2006. www.merckvetmanual.com
2.Powell, DG. Equine rhinopneumonitis. Horse Industry Handbook, 1993, 610-1-5.
3.McClogan, Carrie.A case scenario: equine respiratory disease. Department of Pathology, University of Georgia.Available at www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/IVM/ENG/ERD/EHV-4and1.html
4. Personal communication, Dr. Sanchez, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine.
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