Due to an increased number of confirmed equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) cases across the nation, Nebraska State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes, DVM, is reminding horse owners and equine event operators to remain vigilant and exercise biosecurity measures.

“No horses in Nebraska have been diagnosed with the disease at this time,” said Hughes. Still, he said, “I want to encourage horse owners to take precautions to help prevent this disease from affecting our horse population.”

Hughes explained that two horses (one from Wisconsin and one from Kansas) which had attended an April competition held at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, were recently diagnosed with EHV-1. A number of states are currently dealing with this disease, he said