Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) infection in horses can cause respiratory disease, abortion in mares, neonatal foal death, and/or neurologic disease. The neurologic form of EHV-1 is called Equine Herpes Virus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

Transmission likely occurs by inhaling infected droplets or ingesting material contaminated by nasal discharges or aborted fetuses. Clinical symptoms may include a fever, difficulty urinating, depression, and stumbling or weakness in the hind limbs. Supportive therapy is often used to treat these cases. In severe cases, horses will be unable to stand; these cases have a very poor prognosis. EHV-1 is not transmissible to humans.

Information & Resources

• EHM Disease Information Links:
  Disease Information

  Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) (pdf)

  Equine Herpesvirus Resources
• Information About Biosecurity & Disinfection

Contact
Click here for Division of Animal and Food Industry Services contact information.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files.