Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy
What is equine herpes myeloencephalopathy?
Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is the neurologic disease associated with equine herpesvirus (EHV) infection. Subsequent to EHV infection, animals may display neurologic symptoms as a result of blood vessel inflammation in the nervous system.
What are the signs of infection?
Infected animals may have a fever, ataxia (incoordination), hind limb weakness, lethargy, and incontinence.
How is EHM transmitted?
EHV is transmitted through direct contact with bodily fluids from infected equines, an aborted fetus, or any object – including people – which has been in contact with an infected animal. It may also be spread through aerosolized particles where infected animals have been.
What can I do to prevent EHM in my animals?
As with most diseases, the best prevention is to avoid contact with infected animals. Having appropriate biosecurity plans in place can help significantly reduce the risk of transmission.
What are the testing and/or vaccination requirements for EHM?
If you suspect your animal is infected, or know that it has been in a location where infected animals were kept, contact your veterinarian to schedule testing. Although there are vaccines that prevent the respiratory and reproductive strains of EHV, there is no vaccination in place for the prevention of the neurologic form of EHV which causes EHM.
What do I do if I have a positive animal?
Isolate any positive animals immediately and test all animals which may have been exposed to them since the onset of infection.
Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy is a notifiable disease in Idaho.
If you have a question that is not covered here, please contact Animal Industries by email or at (208) 332-8540.