The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has received reports of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) cases in six Wisconsin counties. Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a highly contagious virus that causes respiratory disease, abortion, and intermittent outbreaks of neurologic disease (EHM) in horses. Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy is often fatal. Horses at facilities where EHM has been diagnosed have been quarantined. Equine herpes viruses are reportable in Wisconsin. Cases are reported in the U.S. every year, often in the cool early spring months, however there are more cases in Wisconsin this year than any year in the previous decade. Commingling horses from multiple farms and purchasing horses from a sale or market are risk factors associated with this outbreak. Please visit the DATCP webpage here for more information on EHM and equine movement.
For more information on keeping your horses safe, contact your veterinarian. Further information can be found here:
- Equine Herpesvirus | Equine Disease Communication Center
- Equine Herpesvirus Resources | AAEP
- DATCP Home Horses & Other Equine Movement
