EQUIVAC INNOVATOR EHV-1/4 (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between equine herpesvirus 1 and 4? ›

EHV-1 is the type that causes neurologic disease. EHV-1 can also cause respiratory disease, abortion, and neonatal death. EHV-4 most commonly causes respiratory disease, and is very uncommonly associated with abortion or neurologic disease.

Neonatal EHV foal disease is the rare result of either fetal infection near term gestation or infection immediately after birth. Foals are either ill at birth, or develop severe respiratory distress within the first few days of life, with high morbidity and mortality rates.

It is widely known that vaccination is not completely effective in ensuring protection against disease caused by this virus. In fact, the real efficacy of vaccination against EHV-1 related disease has not been measured and no systematic reviews exist on this topic.

CONSIDER POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS & COMPLICATIONS

Any vaccine can cause local swelling and pain. Horses may be depressed and lose their appetite. Anaphylactic reactions are possible and can cause severe depression, colic, diarrhea or hives.

Human herpesvirus 4 (EBV) causes mononucleosis, lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma in people.

Equine herpesvirus (EHV), also known as equine rhinopneumonitis, is a family of highly contagious viruses found in horses worldwide. Of the nine known herpesviruses, EHV-1, EHV-3, and EHV-4 pose the highest disease risk to U.S. horses. They do not pose a risk to people.

Treatments may include intravenous fluids or anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics may be used to treat a secondary bacterial infection if one develops; however, antibiotics have no effect on the equine herpesvirus itself. Antiviral drugs have also been used to treat EHM cases.

Causes of Equine Herpesvirus

Airborne virus particles may travel a short distance (i.e. to a neighboring stall). Foals can be infected through the placenta of an infected mare. Symptoms of the EHV in horses often develop two to five days after infection. Infected horses can shed the virus for up to 14 days.

Treatment of Equine Herpesvirus Infection

Rest, supportive care, and NSAIDs are indicated to minimize secondary complications and to treat fever > 102.5°F (39°C). Antimicrobial treatment is only instituted upon suspicion of secondary bacterial infection evidenced by purulent nasal discharge or pulmonary disease.

Prevention: Vaccinations are available to help prevent the respiratory and abortive form of EHV-1 and EHV-4; there is currently no vaccine labeled for the prevention of the neurologic form of EHV-1 (EHM).

How long is quarantine for EHV? ›

Length of quarantine: 21 days after the LAST clinical sign which is usually temperature. 3. Expect quarantine to last 28 to 35 days.

While the most common form of EHV-1 can cause respiratory illness as well as abortion, it is rarely fatal. The EHM strain, however, has a high mortality rate – generally 30-50 percent of infected horses will die.

EHV-1 also causes the more serious complications of abortion, perinatal foal death, or paralytic neurological disease (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy). EHV-4 has been associated with sporadic cases of abortion, but not the large outbreaks associated with EHV-1.

Rabies (Annual - Spring or Fall)

According to the American Association of Equine Practitioners, rabies immunization is one of the 'core' vaccines that every horse should have on an annual basis. Rabies can cause neurologic abnormalities in horses, making them appear 'dumb.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a very common viral infection that spreads through saliva and body fluids. EBV is a type of herpesvirus called herpesvirus 4. Most cases of EBV don't cause symptoms. Other cases, especially in adolescents and young adults, can lead to infectious mononucleosis.

Fever, nasal discharge, malaise, pharyngitis, and cough are key symptoms. EHV-1 may also cause late term abortions or neurologic disease (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy, EHM). Diagnosis is primarily via PCR array on nasal swab or whole blood.

Equine herpesviruses are classified as EHV-1 to EHV-5. 1. EHV-1 is the most important cause of abortion as well as the cause of respiratory disease, neonatal death, and neurologic disease in the mare.