Equine Herpes Virus Outbreak in Europe | 08 Mar 2021

Recently, there has been an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) among horses in Europe.

So far seven countries have confirmed EHV-1 cases: Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and Qatar.

About Equine Herpes Virus (EHV):
- Equine Herpes Virus is a common DNA virus that occurs in horse populations worldwide.
- EHV is a family of viruses which are named by numbers such as EHV 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
  - There are more viruses in this family, but EHV 1, 3, and 4 pose the most serious health risks for domestic horses.
- Health Risks:
  - EHV1 can cause manifestations of disease in horses, including respiratory disease, abortion and neonatal death.
  - This strain can also cause neurological problems, leading to paralysis and in some cases, death. Horses that contract this virus can develop a lack of coordination, weakness, loss of appetite and are unable to stand.
Spread of EHV-1 Virus:
- It is contagious and spread by direct horse-to-horse contact via the respiratory tract through nasal secretions.
- This virus can also be spread indirectly through contact with physical objects that are contaminated with the virus.
Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is another name for the neurologic disease associated with Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) infections.
Precautions and Treatment:
- As the infection has a high transmission rate, keeping a diseased horse in isolation is required.
- Treatments may include anti-inflammatory drugs.