EHV-1 virus in Devon.

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Pinky94

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This has been circulating on my Facebook, just thought I'd help spread the message.

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EQUINE HERPES VIIRUS! Spreading around flaming everywhere! Please don't go hunting or to events, watch your horses for these signs:
**~Respiratory disease~**
-Fever
-Coughing
-Nasal discharge
**~Neonatal foals infected in utero are usually
abnormal from birth~**
-Weakness
-Jaundice
-Respiratory distress/stridor
-CNS signs (occasionally)
-Death commonly occurs within 3 days.
-Older foals: nasal discharge is most common sign of illness.
**~Abortion~**
-Usually no warning signs of impending abortion
-Typically occurs late pregnancy (8+ months); occasionally as early as 4 months.
**~Neurologic disease~**
-Incoordination of the hind (and occasionally fore) limbs
-Urine retention/dribbling
-Bladder atony
-Recumbency
-Neurologic signs may be preceded by fever and respiratory signs.
 
Eeek! I dont go hunting personally but most everyone from my yard does so my mare comes into contact with those that do. I might cover her next spring, so should I be worried?
 
A racing yard in north Devon has been closed due to some of his younger horses having the virus. Other places may have been affected but I'm not sure.
 
my mare had the neuro strain about 2 years ago, she was in with the young sec B at the time and he never showed any signs or symptoms of having caught it from her, my vet certainly wasn't panicking and instructing me to quarantine her:confused: when i queried how she may have got it he said she could have been carrying the virus for a long time and the reason it had only flared up then was impossible to say.He also commented that carriers are probably a lot more common than we think. She recovered fine with no treatment and hasn't had any reoccurance since.
 
My old RC just emailed this out

Due to the local outbreak of neurological Equine Herpes Virus-1 we have cancelled tomorrows dressage at Higher Mainstone.
Fingers crossed that it is all brought under control quickly.
North Devon Riding Club Committee
--
 
I'm in North Devon, I used to work for the trainer that has been shut down a very long time ago! I had my RC lessons cancelled today as they were being held on a livery/competition yard about 15 miles away and they were advised to close down as there was another suspected case somewhere. I heard hunting was off anyway? I've just rung the Grange (West Devon) though to see if their show is going ahead tomorrow and they hadn't heard anything about it and were going ahead as normal. Not sure whether to go or not, horses need the outing but would it be irresponsible? Mine haven't been out anywhere much for weeks??
 
EHV is actually a common virus in the horse population. Most horses develop a natural immunity to it.
Symptoms can be as mild as your horse being "not quite right", mild lethargy, a watery runny nose, may or may not have a slight cough and some can have slightly enlarged lymph glands.
Some horses can shed the virus throughout their lives, without showing any clinical symptoms, particularly during periods of stress.
Transmission is through aerosol distribution (snorting/coughing), nose to nose contact, contact with equipment (haynets, feed buckets, trailers/lorries) where an affected horse has been in contact with/used the equipment (remember - not all affected horses show clinical symptoms).

With so many horses travelling to competitions/events regularly, meeting horses from other yards (hacking, hunting etc), moving to new yards, etc, it is very easy for any horse to pick up the EHV virus then pass it on to other horses without actually showing any symptoms.
Incubation period (from initial exposure to showing symptoms) can be from 24 hours after contact, but is most typically 4 - 6 days after contact with the virus.
It's a bit like us catching a common cold through travelling on public transport or having a friend/work colleage with a slight sniffle/mild temperature, then a few days later you have the cold yourself. Every time you cough, sneeze or touch any shared equipment (door handles, shared work computer keyboard/mouse, telephones etc), you are shedding the virus, which can survive for a number of days outwith it's host, ready for the next person to catch.

Vaccination isn't expensive, I've just had my in foal mare vaccinated for EHV 1 & 4, which cost about £34. She will have another 2 EHV vaccinations before foaling.
You can have a primary course of EHV vaccinations, then a 6 monthly booster, if your horse is in an environment where there is a strong possibility of being exposed to the EHV virus. (Regularly competing, mixing with horses from other yards, or if you don't compete yourself but others from your yard do).
 
I've only had an EHV vaccine for my horse, does this cover the 1234 types? Sorry it's baffled me! Had two, first one, then a month later, then her 6 month is next week :)
 
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