EHV-1. Should I be worried?

meleeka

meleeka

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I know very little about this disease but a local yard has a confirmed outbreak. My horses don’t go anywhere near there but I do have visiting professionals that also visit this yard and one has family members that keep horses there. Should I be worried?
 
I went to a vet talk about EHV last month as I knew nothing about it either. It is very contagious and bio security measures should be put in place and horses isolated if they get it. There is a vaccine that horses can have but you need to know which strain it is and it doesn’t stop them getting it (I think, but may be wrong) but reduces the illness if they do. Like the human virus it can lay dormant in horses and breeding horses can pass it on easily which results in aborted foetuses. It causes flu types symptoms in most animals, fever, and lethargy and in some cases lasting neurological problems can occur. Stress such as travel or illness can lower the bodies resistance and make it reoccur.

If you are at all concerned talk to your vet and ask their advice but if you have people going from one yard to another some rules need to be applied so the disease is contained.
 
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My yard last year had an outbreak of EHV-4, which I believe is kinder than EHV-1.

We went on full shut down and asked local yards not to hack by us, we we told to always have farriers/vet/dentists etc were told and so we were always booked last thing in the day to make sure they weren't going to other yards before changing. Foot-dips/antibac gels etc were at the yard entrance and everyone had to make sure all clothing went straight in the wash after leaving.
We were on shut down for 3 or 4 months to be sure everything had gone (only one horse actually had symptoms)

One thing that was frustrating was that it was difficult to know how big the problem was, as horses without any symptoms may still have had it or been "shedding" at the time, so testing for it was almost pointless - we ended up just going by the symptoms (ours were respiratory, so snotty noses and horrid coughs, but the symptoms for EHV 1 may differ)

I would say don't go in to panic mode, but do check your horses temperature as often as you can- if you are concerned about anything call your vet
 
in your shoes I'd have a chat with my vets for general advice, and also the YO to see if they will enforce some biosecurity measures for visitors to the yard.

I have a mare in foal at the mo who is receiving EHV1 vaccines, not sure if that is something you may want to consider if they don't contain it, again I'd have a word with the vet. The vaccine seems to be more expensive than the normal flu/tet that mine get routinely.

there was an outbreak several years ago where some horses died, I remember it because it was the year I was due to compete at the winter champs at Hartpury and it was touch and go whether we'd be allowed to go. I was taking temps twice a day religiously o_O
 
In human strains of HPV, the only thing studied to clear the virus, rather than just control it to alleviate symptoms, is turkey tail mushroom aka coriolus versicolour/ trametes versicolour.

“coNcLuSIoNS
Coriolus versicolor supplementation boosted the patient’s immune system naturally which led to a virus elimination. the beneficial effect of this supplement against most subtypes of HPV is important in modern virus infection treatment (both combined and conservative).*”


https://www.mycologyresearch.com/articles/view/68


It is believed in humans if we’re a carrier, as most are, it’s controlled by the immune system mostly and at times of stress when cortisol is released in higher than normal amounts, which suppresses the immune system, the HPV is able to flourish and we then get symptoms, runny nose, fever, lethargy, run-down, flu-like symptoms. What many people call ‘common cold’ is much of the time hpv symptoms. We then take time off work, rest, de-stress, take vit c etc, and the symptoms wane. This is because cortisol has gone lower, allowing immune system to function better, not because we’ve killed off the ‘flu/herpes’ virus.

Its an insiduous virus with 1 and 4 in equines being similar, and if left unchecked in equines and humans can result in neurological symptoms due to demyelination of the nerves. Meaning the insulating layer that surrounds all nerves is ‘eaten up/worn off’ leaving the nerves vulnerable to neurological symptoms. Just like our home electrical wires/cables without the plastic coating on, exposing the bundle of copper wires beneath, that are able to spark and electrify anything touching it. That happens inside the body if our nerves are not myelinated adequately, sending wrong signals so we find it hard to walk, are clumsy etc. thats the end stage of herpes.

Many horses are carriers. A study in turkey showed most were carriers.

Out of all the medicinal mushrooms trialled, turkey tail wins hands down for eradicating the virus. Better than chaga, reishi, shiitake etc.

In my spare time i study wild mushrooms and this info blew me away when i came across it.
Google HPV trametes versicolour / HPV coriolus versicolour. (Same mushroom, just change of name occurs in mycology often)

To treat a horse dont just use ground up dried mushroom fruit bodies and add to feed. The medicinal components of polysaccharides and glucans need releasing from the mushroom body via hot water boiling. The old way of having this as a tea was to boil the mushroom in water for half hour at least and drink.
Dont look for it in the wild without someone to professionally id it for you. It doesnt look like any toxic mushrooms but you can find other lookalikes that dont have as high medicinal profile as the true turkey tail.

To preserve the extract - use apple cider vinegar rather than alcohol.

I make this mix for myself to get a really strong tincture than whats available, so pm me if youd like info on making it.

There’s a few horse supplements on the horse market of mushrooms for immune function help, make sure they are hot water extracts. Otherwise youre wasting your money. Email them to check before buying.

If my horse had hpv, id give turkey tail tea drench on their feed. Its excellent for the liver too.
This is not a toxic mushroom. Some mushrooms are medicinal and can have toxic components. This one is a non-toxic and very helpful for health when extracted properly.
 
Has your horse been stressed lately or has cushings? The cortisol levels need to be lowered, so the immune system can function fully to fight the hpv.
Vit a, c ,e and selenium levels assist immune cell release. Check adequate levels in feed.
Allow as much turnout in own paddock as possible for de-stress while recovering.
Eliminate anything the horse finds stressful basically, to help the immune system work best.

A vaccine helps the immune system produce antibodies, it wont prevent hpv running rampant in the system if the immune system is subsequently suppressed/under-nourished. A vaxed horse can get hpv symptoms when the immune system is suppressed, like a horse who’s never been vaccinated. Immune system function is the intelligence in the body to prevent all outbreaks taking over. When this system is weak, mainly through dietary imbalance and/or stress, illness occurs, whether vaccinated or not.
 
Its very serious so make sure anyone going anywhere near your yard is clean and has been no where near the infected horses.

A racing yard in France got it a few years ago - I want to say Fabre or Dupre - a big trainer, in his supplementary yard. It killed a few horses and took months to sort out. The horses from that yard were pretty much written off for the year as even if the symptoms and bloods show they are clear it takes the body a long long time to recover from.
 
PurBee said:
Has your horse been stressed lately or has cushings? The cortisol levels need to be lowered, so the immune system can function fully to fight the hpv.
Click to expand...

Yes I have one with (controlled) Cushings.

dorsetladette said:
If its the yard I think it is they are on total lock down and are refunding entry fee's for all January events.

My vets have posted some useful stuff on their FB page about bio-security and what not.
Click to expand...

Which vets is this please?
 
We have an outbreak at our barn at the moment, barn is on lock down for 3 weeks. So far none of the other horses have been infected and the original horse seems to be recovering. But bio-security is in place and hopefully we'll be back to normal in 3 weeks. As a new horse owner, it's pretty scary.
 
Hi, not sure if it is true but apparently some/a horse(s) have already been PTS at Crofton and no horses are allowed out to graze. I think the only thing we can really do is check temps twice daily, watch for any symptoms and hope for the best.
 
PurBee said:
In human strains of HPV, the only thing studied to clear the virus, rather than just control it to alleviate symptoms, is turkey tail mushroom aka coriolus versicolour/ trametes versicolour.

“coNcLuSIoNS
Coriolus versicolor supplementation boosted the patient’s immune system naturally which led to a virus elimination. the beneficial effect of this supplement against most subtypes of HPV is important in modern virus infection treatment (both combined and conservative).*”


https://www.mycologyresearch.com/articles/view/68


It is believed in humans if we’re a carrier, as most are, it’s controlled by the immune system mostly and at times of stress when cortisol is released in higher than normal amounts, which suppresses the immune system, the HPV is able to flourish and we then get symptoms, runny nose, fever, lethargy, run-down, flu-like symptoms. What many people call ‘common cold’ is much of the time hpv symptoms. We then take time off work, rest, de-stress, take vit c etc, and the symptoms wane. This is because cortisol has gone lower, allowing immune system to function better, not because we’ve killed off the ‘flu/herpes’ virus.

Its an insiduous virus with 1 and 4 in equines being similar, and if left unchecked in equines and humans can result in neurological symptoms due to demyelination of the nerves. Meaning the insulating layer that surrounds all nerves is ‘eaten up/worn off’ leaving the nerves vulnerable to neurological symptoms. Just like our home electrical wires/cables without the plastic coating on, exposing the bundle of copper wires beneath, that are able to spark and electrify anything touching it. That happens inside the body if our nerves are not myelinated adequately, sending wrong signals so we find it hard to walk, are clumsy etc. thats the end stage of herpes.

Many horses are carriers. A study in turkey showed most were carriers.

Out of all the medicinal mushrooms trialled, turkey tail wins hands down for eradicating the virus. Better than chaga, reishi, shiitake etc.

In my spare time i study wild mushrooms and this info blew me away when i came across it.
Google HPV trametes versicolour / HPV coriolus versicolour. (Same mushroom, just change of name occurs in mycology often)

To treat a horse dont just use ground up dried mushroom fruit bodies and add to feed. The medicinal components of polysaccharides and glucans need releasing from the mushroom body via hot water boiling. The old way of having this as a tea was to boil the mushroom in water for half hour at least and drink.
Dont look for it in the wild without someone to professionally id it for you. It doesnt look like any toxic mushrooms but you can find other lookalikes that dont have as high medicinal profile as the true turkey tail.

To preserve the extract - use apple cider vinegar rather than alcohol.

I make this mix for myself to get a really strong tincture than whats available, so pm me if youd like info on making it.

There’s a few horse supplements on the horse market of mushrooms for immune function help, make sure they are hot water extracts. Otherwise youre wasting your money. Email them to check before buying.

If my horse had hpv, id give turkey tail tea drench on their feed. Its excellent for the liver too.
This is not a toxic mushroom. Some mushrooms are medicinal and can have toxic components. This one is a non-toxic and very helpful for health when extracted properly.
Click to expand...

I don't think EHV has anything to do with HPV, perhaps you're thinking of HSV (human version of the herpes virus)?
 
FinkleyAlex said:
I don't think EHV has anything to do with HPV, perhaps you're thinking of HSV (human version of the herpes virus)?
Click to expand...

With you on this! There is no ‘cure‘ for human herpes simplex virus only management. It causes cold sores amongst other things!
Human papilloma virus is different, though presents similarly, it’s a leading cause of cervical cancer in women. There is a vaccine for this.
As far as Equine herpes virus, I think it is similar in that it lays ‘dormant’ and can represent if horse is stressed.Has a few differing strains of varying severity, management being the solution.
 
I just googled where Crofton is and it’s nowhere near where I expected!
Ive had a WhatsApp horsey group message warning of an outbreak confirmed in the Wantage area.
So are there a few outbreaks in different areas or is my message scare mongering?!
 
beingachicken said:
I just googled where Crofton is and it’s nowhere near where I expected!
Ive had a WhatsApp horsey group message warning of an outbreak confirmed in the Wantage area.
So are there a few outbreaks in different areas or is my message scare mongering?!
Click to expand...

I don’t think there’s been another cases, certainly not the neurological type, which seems to be the worst type.
 
Trinket12 said:
We have an outbreak at our barn at the moment, barn is on lock down for 3 weeks. So far none of the other horses have been infected and the original horse seems to be recovering. But bio-security is in place and hopefully we'll be back to normal in 3 weeks. As a new horse owner, it's pretty scary.
Click to expand...

Are you at a different yard to crofton as Crofton is the only place vets state has an outbreak of EHV1 neurological strain.

Or are you at a different yard with an outbreak of the less serious non neurological EHV1 strain?
 
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beingachicken said:
I just googled where Crofton is and it’s nowhere near where I expected!
Ive had a WhatsApp horsey group message warning of an outbreak confirmed in the Wantage area.
So are there a few outbreaks in different areas or is my message scare mongering?!
Click to expand...

Ask if it’s the milder EHV1 non neurological or the very serious EHV1 neurological strain.

I think vets are saying only place with
EHV1 neurological strain is crofton
 
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bouncing_ball said:
Ask if it’s the milder EHV1 or the very serious EHV4 neurological strain.

I think vets are saying only place with
EHV4 neurological strain is crofton
Click to expand...
I just reread and it says EHV, the neuro strain, that it originated at a competition centre and that several horses had died over the past few days. Newbury/wantage area.
 
beingachicken said:
I just reread and it says EHV, the neuro strain, that it originated at a competition centre and that several horses had died over the past few days. Newbury/wantage area.
Click to expand...

Hmm Liphook announced only crofton horses so far 11.45am yesterday. And vets have a text alert network system for official updates. Be interesting to see if horses dying from same strain confirmed by vet hospital.
 
beingachicken said:
I just reread and it says EHV, the neuro strain, that it originated at a competition centre and that several horses had died over the past few days. Newbury/wantage area.
Click to expand...
Given that Newbury isn’t a million miles away i think there would be some official notification it it had spread elsewhere (meaning horses that attended Crofton had now contracted it).
 
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