The U.S. Department of Agriculture is soliciting public comment to help develop options for an equine viral arteritis regulatory program for horses within the United States.

“After evaluating public comment, we will determine whether to propose changes to our regulations,” said Alfonso Torres, deputy administrator for veterinary services with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, a part of USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs mission area. “While EVA is not widespread throughout the United States, the equine industry regards the disease as a potentially significant and increasing economic threat,” said Torres.

At this time, APHIS does not have a program to control EVA because confirmed outbreaks are sporadic. However, the U.S. equine industry has requested that APHIS initiate surveillance, control, and possibly eradication of EVA.

Equine viral arteritis is an acute, contagious, viral disease characterized by edema, conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, and abortion. Infection is primarily spread through aerosol transmission among horses that are closely congregated in places such as racetracks, shows, and sales. EVA is also spread venereally by infected stallions or infected semen