Europe - Equine death toll at six in outbreak of neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1)

[Gert van der Hoek]

March 5, 2021

The death toll from the outbreak of the neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in Valencia, Spain, stands at six, and more than 80 horses are undergoing treatment.

One of the latest two deaths was of a horse in Germany, who had competed in Valencia. The other death was in Valencia.

The outbreak has led to the FEI cancelling events on mainland Europe for the month of March, and equestrian nations are working to devise specific protocols for returning horses.

EHV-1 is contagious and spread by direct horse-to-horse contact via the respiratory tract through nasal secretions or indirectly through surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus.

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Doha, Qatar


A German horse already in isolation at the Al Shaqab venue for the Global Champions League competition in Doha in Qatar after arriving from Valencia, has tested positive for EHV-1 and has been transferred to the isolation unit of the neighbouring veterinary clinic, together with a second German horse who has returned an inconclusive result and will continue to be retested.

A total of four horses that had been competing in Valencia arrived in Doha on February 20, having left the Spanish venue earlier in the month. Of the four, two Colombian horses had left Valencia on February 7, and the two German horses had departed from Valencia on February 12, eight days before the FEI being notified of the EHV-1 outbreak. All four horses remain in isolation stables.

https://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2021/03/05/equine-death-toll-six-ehv1-europe/

[Gert van der Hoek]

1. Clinical Signs:

EHV-1 may manifest in many ways. Typically horses will develop a fever, and develop respiratory signs such as a serous (thin, watery) nasal discharge and occasional cough. Some horses may also show submandibular lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes under their jaw) and ocular discharge.

In some cases, when the virus has a specific genotype, EHV-1 can manifest with neurological symptoms. These can be of variable severity, ranging from mild ataxia (in co-ordination) and paresis (weakness), to full recumbency with an inability to stand as well as urinary and fecal incontinence.

EHV-1 infected pregnant mares will likely suffer a late-term abortion of their pregnancy. In some circumstances, if they only became infected with the virus late in their gestation, they may not abort, but give birth to a foal that is infected with the virus, which will likely die of severe complications in their respiratory and hepatic systems as well as bone marrow dysfunction. Ensuring broodmares are properly vaccinated for EHV-1/EHV-4 is important as part of good biosecurity and prevention of EHV infection in breeding stock.

2. Summary of Outbreak on the Continent:

An outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) occurred at the CES Valencia Spring Tour (ESP), with horses that were in attendance at the venue from at least 1st February 2021 potentially exposed to the virus. Numerous horses at the venue subsequently displayed clinical symptoms of the virus, including neurological symptoms, and to-date four horses have died. A certain number of horses which left Valencia and travelled back to their home countries (FR, BEL, DE) have subsequently developed clinical signs of the virus as well. Veterinary authorities are on-site in Valencia to deal with the outbreak, carry out the necessary testing and treatment of clinically-affected animals. Those horses requiring more intensive care are being managed in isolation units in tertiary level equine hospitals.

https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/...the-continent/