There are many different types of herpesviruses, some of which can cause serious problems for the animals we keep. Authorities are currently tracking an outbreak of neurological disease that is spreading among working horses across the country.
Monday, Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) issued Latest information on the outbreak of equine herpetic myeloencephalopathy (EHM). At least 29 EHM cases have been confirmed in seven states so far. The outbreak appears to have stemmed from a rodeo and racing event in Texas earlier this month.
nasty virus
EHM It is caused by infection with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).
EHV-1 is a ubiquitous and highly contagious bacterium. Most horses become infected at some point in their lives, usually through direct contact with other horses, close airborne transmission, or even indirect contact with contaminated surfaces or human hands or clothing. In most cases, EHV-1 causes only an acute respiratory illness and then remains silent and remains dormant in the body (this is a common feature of many herpesviruses). But in some cases, the virus can reach the brain or spinal cord and inflame blood vessels, causing dangerous blood clots and causing EHM.
EHM is most often caused by EHV-1 strains that are more likely to cause neurological forms of infection, but respiratory EHV-1 strains can also cause EHM in rare cases. The virus can also reactivate from a dormant state and spread to the nervous system, causing EHM.
According to EDCC, the outbreak began during the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Finals and Elite Barrel Racing event held in Waco from November 5th to 9th. Several horses participating in the event developed EHM, prompting widespread warnings from animal health and racehorse authorities in several states. Last week, officials chose The remainder of the Barrel Futurities of America (BFA) World Championship scheduled to be held in Oklahoma has been canceled after two horses on a recent trip to Waco went down with EHM.
At this time, the potential impact of this outbreak is not yet clear, but the impact could be significant. one of the largest known epidemic EHM/EHV-1 infections began in 2011 at a mutilation horse event in Ogden, Utah, where approximately 2,000 horses in 19 states were exposed to the virus, at least 90 horses became infected and 13 died.
“The extent of this EHV-1 outbreak is not yet fully understood. The symptoms of EHV-1 in these horses are rapidly progressive and clinically severe. A concerning number of deaths of horses suspected of being infected with EHM have been reported,” the Texas Board of Animal Health said in a report. update last week.
known threats
Although this occurrence is alarming, most cases of EHM are not fatal, especially with prompt identification and supportive care. There is a vaccine for EHV-1, which is used to prevent the respiratory form of infection and the risk of miscarriage in pregnant horses. Although this vaccine does not directly prevent EHM, it may help limit the spread of the epidemic by reducing the potential viral load in infected horses.
For now, authorities are working with WPRA event sponsors, horse owners who participated in WPRA events, and veterinarians to track and contain the spread of infection. Veterans who believe they have encountered a potential case are encouraged to file a report with the EDCC.
