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EHV-1: Industry Responsibility & Responsible Ownership Practices
The AHC wants to remind horse owners and service providers of what might be termed "indirect exposure" and transmission risks associated with contagious and infectious equine diseases, such as Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) in the recent outbreak. There are potential risks that might not be obvious, but are as dangerous as direct exposure.
Currently, USDA and state animal health officials are conducting an extensive and comprehensive response to the on-going EHV-1/EHM disease incident. USDA's Incident Response Team will continue to gather, verify, and disseminate information on the current EHV-1/EHM disease incident until several weeks after there are no additional confirmed new exposed premises with suspect or confirmed cases.
In order to assist USDA and state animal health officials in mitigating the health and economic implications from the current EHV-1 disease incident, individual horse owners, and the industry as a whole, must follow informed and responsible ownership practices.
Similar to a variety of contagious and infectious equine diseases that are endemic in the U.S., EHV-1 can be spread directly and indirectly through contact with contaminated equipment used everyday in the horse community, such as:
Tack; Wipe rags or other grooming equipment; Feed and water buckets; Vehicles; and People's hands or clothing.
Even after the current EHV-1/EHM disease incident is resolved, it is critical individual horse owners, service providers, and facilities continue to implement responsible practices to minimize potential exposure to EHV-1/EHM and a variety of other contagious and infectious equine diseases that are a potential risk to our horses on a daily basis.
Whether we are facing an EHV-1/EHM, equine influenza virus, Strep equi bacteria, or a foreign animal disease outbreak, or even if we are in a completely disease free environment, it is critical the horse community undertake appropriate actions to mitigate the health and economic implications of current and potential disease transmissions.
The AHC stresses the importance of responsible ownership and sound biosecurity practices among horse owners and service providers. Please see the following links for additional information on transmission risks and disease mitigation strategies.
Additional Resources
USDA-APHIS website: Biosecurity - The Key to Keeping Your Horses Healthy (pdf 811kb) -
EHV information sheets, color brochures, historical information, a
review of disease mitigation strategies, and an EHV-1 guidance document
(which will be available later today) "Recommendations for Horses
Exposed to EHV-1 or EHM" can be found on the USDA-APHIS website at the
following link:
AAEP website:
Neurologic Disease Guidelines:
Equine Herpes Virus:
Biosecurity Guidelines:
Biosecurity Instructions for Caretakers - English & Spanish:
National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) website:
ACVIM Consensus Statement on EHV-1:http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2009.0304.x/pdf
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