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On July 15, the examining veterinarian noted that the foal had increasingly severe neurological signs: his lower lip drooped loosely, he bit his front leg, stumbled and turned, and was unable to stand up alone. This led to the decision to euthanize the animal. The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of North Dakota conducted a horse necropsy confirming EHV-1 infection based on clinical neurological signs of the foal and positive EHV-1 test results.
"This case is a good reminder that despite the fact that we have not reported an EHM case in Minnesota since 2015, it still represents a significant risk to horses," said Courtney Wheeler, Minnesota Board of Equine Program Director. Animal Health. "Horse owners should take this opportunity to review their biosecurity protocols, both on the farm and while traveling, to ensure they are doing their best to protect their horses and the equine community of Minnesota from communicable and contagious diseases." such as the EHM. "
The most common means for the spread of HME in horses is nose-to-nose contact. It can also spread through contact with contaminated objects such as pins, food and water buckets, grooming equipment, and clothing (a person handling an infected horse may also spread the virus on their hands). Horses may look healthy while spreading the virus.
It is essential that horse owners adhere to strict biosecurity practices to prevent the spread of EHM and other contagious equine diseases. A general pamphlet on biosecurity steps is available on the board's website.
Veterinarians continue to identify several cases of EHM across the United States. Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, all EHM cases in Minnesota must be reported to the state's Animal Health Council who, in conjunction with the Minnesota Equine Industry, is implementing an official control plan. of the EHM. Under the plan, the jury is required to quarantine, test and monitor all horses confirmed as having been exposed or having been exposed to the EHM. You can view the EHM Control Plan on the Board's website.
EHV 101
The herpes virus is highly contagious in horses and can cause various diseases in equines, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease commonly found in young horses), abortion in the mares and the EHM.
In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can remain undetected. In addition to fever, other common signs of EHV-1 infection in young horses include coughing, loss of appetite, depression, and runny nose. Pregnant mares generally have no evidence of infection before abortion and abortion usually occurs late in pregnancy (approximately eight months), but may be earlier. Abortions can occur from two weeks to several months after EHV-1 infection.
Horses with the neurological form usually have fever at the beginning of the disease and may show signs of respiratory infection. A few days later, neurological signs such as ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the anterior and posterior limbs, retention of urine and dribbling, loss of tail tone and an inclination (impossibility to get up).
The herpes virus is easily spread through the nose to the nose or through close contact with an infectious horse; share contaminated equipment, including bits, buckets and towels; or clothing, hands or equipment of people who have recently had contact with an infectious horse. Routine biosecurity measures, including hygiene practices and basic cleaning and disinfection practices, must always be in place to contribute to the spread of the disease.
Current vaccines against EHV-1 could reduce viral shedding but do not protect against the neurological form of the disease. Implementing routine biosecurity practices is the best way to minimize viral spread, and the best method of disease control is disease prevention.
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