After several new cases of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) were reported over the weekend, just one new confirmed case had been reported at press time. It has been two and a half weeks since the first cases in the outbreak–the point of origin is believed to be a national cutting horse competition held recently in Utah–were reported.

Although it’s not transmissible to humans, EHV-1 is highly contagious among horses and camelids, and it is generally passed from horse to horse via aerosol transmission (when affected animals sneeze/cough) and contact with nasal secretions. The disease can cause a variety of ailments in equines, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form). Myeloencephalopathy is characterized by fever, ataxia (incoordination), weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs, and incontinence.

Additionally, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released an updated situation report on May 26, which can be viewed online