EHV-1: Current Status

In 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture classified equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) as an emerging infectious disease on the basis of the apparently increased number of outbreaks of the neurological form of the disease. These involved relatively large numbers of horses (Lunn et al. 2009; Pusterla et al. 2009). Concern has also risen in the UK, particularly this year following a series of cases of EHV-1 involving ataxia and quadriplegia, which necessitated the euthanasia of some horses. Horse-owners and veterinary surgeons are therefore on the alert for clinical signs which may be associated with this viral disease. As a result, good biosecurity advice has been publicised (e.g. http://www.beva.org.uk/news-and-events/news/view/333 http://www.britisheventing.com/news.asp?section=59&itemid=3 809). The aim of this presentation is to provide colleagues with current information which is applicable in the clinical setting, thereby enabling them to provide evidence-based advice. [...]