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Horse Virus EHV-1 Prompts Urgent Warnings in New Brunswick
30 Aug
Summary
- Equine herpesvirus EHV-1 confirmed in a horse from a New Brunswick boarding facility.
- Horse show in Sussex on Tuesday led to potential exposure risk for owners.
- Virus spreads easily via contact, air, and surfaces, leading to event cancellations.
New Brunswick health officials have issued an urgent warning to horse owners following the confirmation of equine herpesvirus EHV-1. The alert specifically targets those who attended the Kings County Fair Draft Horse Show in Sussex on Tuesday.
A 4-H horse participating in the show was found to have originated from the same facility as another horse recently confirmed positive for EHV-1. This marks a significant case as the virus is typically rare in the region.
Equine herpesvirus EHV-1 is known to cause respiratory issues, nervous system damage, and can be fatal, particularly in young animals. The virus is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact, shared equipment, and airborne particles. It can also survive on surfaces for up to 30 days, increasing the risk of transmission.
In response to the EHV-1 confirmation, several regional equestrian events have been cancelled, including harness races in Woodstock and a show in Sussex. In Nova Scotia, organizers are implementing temperature checks for all arriving horses.
Veterinarians are advising owners of potentially exposed animals to immediately quarantine them, thoroughly clean and disinfect facilities and equipment, monitor horses for symptoms twice daily, and practice good hygiene when handling different animals. Vaccination every six months is also recommended to reduce symptom severity, although current vaccines do not offer complete protection against this strain.
