State reports first case of neurologic equine virus

AUGUSTA – State officials have quarantined two stables in central Maine after confirming the state’s first reported case of a neurologic form of an equine virus in a horse that was euthanized earlier this month.

Equine herpes virus Type 1, or EHV-1, is primarily a respiratory pathogen in horses that can cause respiratory illness and abortion, but it also can cause a paralytic neurologic disease, according to State Veterinarian Don Hoenig.

While not contagious to humans, the virus is contagious to horses and can be spread by direct contact with infected horses, respiratory secretions, and contact with contaminated objects such as feed and water buckets and other barn tools and tack.

According to a statement released Thursday by the Maine Department of Agriculture, a horse housed in a private stable in Rome was diagnosed Wednesday with the neurologic form of EHV-1.

The 3-year-old gelding had been euthanized March 19 after exhibiting severe neurologic signs over a 24-hour period. A 17-year-old horse at the same location had died of similar signs one day earlier.

Additionally, an 8-year-old horse in Wales, previously housed for a short time at the stable in Rome, is under treatment for neurologic signs consistent with EHV-1. The Department of Agriculture has placed both stables under quarantine.

Before 2003, U.S. reports of neurologic EHV-1 were sporadic with typically none to few outbreaks identified annually. In 2005, seven outbreaks of neurologic EHV-1 were reported in five different states.

In 2006, the numbers grew to 11 and involved eight states. These outbreaks are primarily concentrated in the Eastern U.S., with a few Midwestern and Western states experiencing outbreaks.

Over the past two years, the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with equine veterinarians and representatives from the equine industry, including racetrack officials, has strongly recommended that racetracks, agricultural fairs and equine training facilities in Maine require that horses entering their facilities be vaccinated for EHV-1 not more than six months or less than 14 days before entry.

Department animal health officials encourage all horse owners to consult with their practicing veterinarian on recommendations concerning vaccination and monitoring for the disease.

For more information, consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/.