The neurological form of EHV-1 has been confirmed in six horses in Quebec, Canada, New Jersey and Utah.
On Feb. 20, the Bédard Quarter Horse riding stable in Chicoutini, Quebec noticed a 12-year-old mare was exhibiting neurological signs. She was referred to the large animal clinic at the University of Montreal Veterinary Hospital in Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec on Feb 23, where she was immediately isolated.
Within a few hours, her health deteriorated and she was humanely euthanized.
The farm has been put on full quarantine and the 53 horses on the property are being carefully monitored for symptoms. Two horses have since shown signs of the disease, including fever and in-coordination, but their condition is currently stable.
The Utah State Veterinarian has issued several quarantines in Cache County following the confirmation of four cases of EHV-1 and one suspected case.
ADVERTISEMENT
Two of the five horses have been euthanized and the three others are under quarantine at their private locations.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has quarantined a farm in Franklinville, Gloucester County and one in Dennisville, Cape May County, after horses at both farms were exposed to a horse that developed equine herpes myeloencephalopathy, which is caused by EHV-1.
The index horse in New Jersey was euthanized on Feb. 15.
This is the second outbreak of EHV-1 reported in New Jersey this year.
