A horse imported from Florida to Davidson County, North Carolina, has tested positive for Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV1) and meets the case definition for Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), according to state officials. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services reported that the case is not linked to the ongoing national EHV1/EHM outbreak.
State Veterinarian Mike Martin said, “This horse was assessed by a local veterinarian for being acutely ‘down’. A thorough exam was performed, including a neurological exam, and revealed no other clinical signs. The horse was humanely euthanized and submitted to our Rollins Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Raleigh. Histopathological results showed a non-specific encephalitis, and the horse tested positive for Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV1) on PCR.”
Martin also noted that seven other horses residing at the same location are under quarantine but have not shown any signs of disease. He stated, “There are seven additional resident horses located at the same premises as the infected horse that are currently under quarantine. They have not shown any signs of disease. There has been no movement of horses on or off this premises since the introduction of this horse from Florida, so there is no current known risk of possible spread within North Carolina associated with this case. These horses will continue to be monitored throughout the duration of the quarantine.”
“This is the first confirmed positive EHV1/EHM case in North Carolina since the beginning of the current national outbreak,” Martin said. “This case is not currently linked to any other known EHM cases associated with the ongoing national outbreak. Our Veterinary Division will continue to work with our USDA partners in monitoring this case. We continue to recommend heightened biosecurity for shows, sales, and other equine events given the recent national cases.”
State authorities remind those importing horses into North Carolina that proper documentation such as a certificate of veterinary inspection is required and advise isolation for newly acquired animals.
More information about equine herpesvirus can be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/equine/herpesvirus.
