A previous version of this bulletin misstated the quarantine procedures outlined in the second paragraph.

Equine Disease Alert

A Washington County horse tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) this week. The 12-year-old warmblood mare was first examined by a veterinarian on Tuesday, December 9 and they noted weakness in the hind limbs and decreased anal tone. The veterinarian submitted an EHV-1 test, and results were reported Thursday, December 11. The horse was treated with anti-inflammatory medicine and has significantly improved in the last 48 hours.

The owner reported self-quarantining the positive horse on December 9 and the Board issued an official quarantine when results were reported on December 11. The affected horse is kept at a boarding barn with 27 other horses. All horses at the barn are considered exposed to EHV-1 and will need their temperature checked twice daily for the next 21 days. The Board will release the quarantine if all horses' temperatures do not exceed 102°F during the sampling window.

This case is unrelated to the EHV-1 outbreaks reported in Texas and Oklahoma; test results identified a different viral strain and the horse has no known exposures.

EHV-1 is highly infectious between horses and can develop into a debilitating neurological disease known as Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM).

Horse owners are reminded of the importance of adhering to stringent biosecurity practices to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Viruses like EHV-1 can be carried from one place to another by other horses, people, insects, trailers, and equipment (including tack, blankets, feed and water buckets, brushes, sponges, hoses, or veterinary supplies). The virus can remain inactive inside the horse for long periods of time. The virus is shed from infected horses via the respiratory tract and is capable of surviving in organic material like manure and feed.

The Board encourages horse owners to follow these biosecurity tips when traveling with their horse:

• Use your own trailer and equipment. If you must borrow; clean and disinfect items thoroughly before exposing your horse and again before returning.
• Don’t let your horse touch other horses, especially nose to nose.
• Never put the end of a shared hose in your horse’s water bucket without disinfecting first. Don’t hand-graze your horse where other horses have recently grazed.
• Don’t let strangers touch your horse. If you touch other horses, wash your hands with soap and water, and dry them well. Use disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect tack, boots, equipment, and grooming supplies before returning home. Make sure to remove dirt and manure before disinfecting.
• Shower, blow your nose (germs can survive a long time in nasal secretions), and put on clean clothes and shoes upon your return.
• Keep horses returning from shows/exhibits separate from your other horses for up to a month. When doing feeding and chores, work with the returning horses last. Wear boots and coveralls and remove them before working with your other horses.
• Don’t forget to wash your hands.

Owners and exhibitors entering Minnesota from other states are required to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection verifying the horse has been examined by a veterinarian and is free from signs of communicable and contagious diseases.

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