Equid alphaherpesvirus 1

Topicupdated 2025-11-20 13:08
Equid alphaherpesvirus 1

Equid alphaherpesvirus 1, commonly known as Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1), is a contagious virus affecting horses. It is a member of the Herpesviridae family and can cause a range of health issues, including respiratory disease, abortion in pregnant mares, and, in severe cases, neurological disorders that may lead to paralysis and death. While many horses carry the virus in a latent state without showing symptoms, active outbreaks can be severe, particularly in populations with no prior exposure.

This virus is notable for its significant economic and animal welfare impact on the equine industry. An initial introduction of EHV-1 into a naive herd can result in abortion rates of up to 70 percent and high mortality in newborn foals. The virus spreads easily through direct contact between horses or indirectly via contaminated equipment, people, or aerosols, making it a persistent concern for stables, farms, and equestrian events.

EHV-1 has recently been in the news due to an active outbreak in Central Texas. State agricultural officials have issued alerts to the equine industry, reporting lethal losses and describing the situation as serious. The outbreak has led to the cancellation and rescheduling of major rodeo and breakaway roping events as a precautionary measure to prevent further spread among the horse population.

Brief generated by an LLM (DeepSeek) from Wikipedia and recent news headlines.

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