Equine Herpes Virus in Horses

(This information can be located and updated at the following web site www.AAEP.org)        

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) and the AAEP wish to update you regarding the neurologic form  equine herpes virus infection(EHM) in Florida, as well as provide resources about the disease. 

CURRENTLY, there are two cases in Florida MARCH 2021

Isolated in a single private facility in Ocala which is quarantined with restricted movement and ongoing monitoring under the oversight of the state veterinarian's office.  There are no other known cases of EHM in Florida at this time but we are monitoring the situation closely.  Due to concern that horses at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) may have been exposed, the WEC has recommended increased biosecurity measures to keep horse safe.  

 Although there is no evidence that the EHM outbreak in Europe is linked to the cases in Florida, because horses from Europe are commonly imported into the US., horse owners should increase monitoring of any horses that have recently traveled to horse shows or were exposed to horses that have traveled.

Biosecurity Precautions

1. Monitor. horses for clinical signs and take and record the temperature twice daily.  FEVER = 101.5 F

2. Immediately isolate any horse showing clinical signs

3.  Implement movement restrictions until the situation is evaluated.

4.  Contact hour veterinarian to evaluate how  horse and to propose a comprehensive biosecurity protocol.

5.  Make sure that your horse is vaccinated.

6.  Disinfect all surfaces that come into contact with horses including buckets, shared equipment and tack.  Wash or sanitize your hands between horses.

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) is spread from horse to horse through contact with nasal discharge or spread as aerosol droplets.Horse can also contract the virus by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces such as stalls, water, feed, tack and transport vehicles. Information about equine herpesvirus necrologic daises is available on the EDCC website.