In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. | Photo: Alexandra Beckstett/The Horse

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has confirmed a case of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and a case of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form of EHV-1) at a single facility in Schuyler County, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported Jan. 10.

“An aged Quarter Horse mare, displaying leaning and hind-end ataxia (incoordination), was confirmed positive for on a nasal swab PCR test late last week,” the EDCC said. “A few days later, a Quarter Horse gelding on the farm with only a high fever also tested PCR positive on a nasal swab for EHV-1.

“The mare, gelding, and all other horses on the farm are quarantined,” the agency added. “Biosecurity measures and temperature monitoring are in place. No horses have left the farm in the two weeks preceding the onset of the illness nor have left the farm after the diagnosis of the index case