Horse Hospitalized in King County Due to Equine Herpesvirus

In King County, Washington, a horse recently hospitalized for an intestinal problem has tested positive for equine herpesvirus (EHV) following a nasal swab, while blood tests returned negative.

The horse is currently under veterinary supervision. This information comes from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), a nonprofit that provides disease reports via an equine network marketing program. EHV is known for its contagious nature among horses and can lead to various health issues including respiratory diseases, abortions in pregnant mares, and neurological manifestations.

Signs of EHV-1 infection may include fever—often undetected—as well as cough, decreased appetite, and nasal discharge, particularly in younger horses. Pregnant mares may not exhibit signs prior to abortion, which can happen at various stages of gestation. Neurological signs can follow fever in affected horses. Contagion occurs through close contact, shared equipment, or contaminated clothing. To prevent spread, it is advised to maintain biosecurity measures that include hygiene and routine cleaning practices. While current EHV-1 vaccines may help reduce viral shedding, they do not safeguard against the neurological variant of the disease. Disease control relies heavily on prevention strategies.