The North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division are reminding horse owners to protect their horses from equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).
A horse in Ward County has been confirmed positive for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic manifestation of the virus.
The horse hasn’t been moved from the farm and is recovering under the owners care.
EHV-1 can be spread through the air, and on contaminated equipment, clothing and hands, and it is important to practice biosecurity measures that can reduce the risk of spreading the disease include avoiding shared food or water containers and preventing nose-to-nose contact between animals.
EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease, abortion, neonatal death and sometimes the neurologic form of the disease, EHM.
While no vaccine can completely prevent EHM, vaccinating healthy animals and giving booster vaccinations before travel, competition or boarding is recommended.
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring urges horse owners to visit with their veterinarians to establish safety precautions especially during summer when many horseowners travel.
EHV-1 poses no threat to human health.
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