Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a viral infection spread from nasal discharge or aerosol droplets. Horses can also contract the virus via contaminated surfaces such as stalls, water, feed, tack, transportation vehicles, or by people’s contaminated hands and clothing from being around another affected horse.

The incubation period for this relatively common respiratory disease ranges from two to 10 days. Clinical signs of EHV-1 include fever, nasal discharge, and lethargy/depression. Infected horses can shed the virus even when showing no clinical signs.

Disease caused by EHV-1 can be mild or can be more severe and can result in late-term abortion in pregnant mares and/or severe neurologic disease. Equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM), the neurologic form EHV-1, is rare.

Individuals with questions or concerns about disease outbreaks can contact the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UKVDL) at 859/257-8283. View each month’s featured map at vdl.uky.edu/FeaturedMap