A rapid (24-hour) test is now available to identify neuropathic strains of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). This means in the event of an outbreak of herpesvirus, or if a horse has neurologic signs of undetermined origin, a veterinarian can take a blood sample or nasal swab and know by the next day whether the horse tests positive for neuropathic EHV-1. The test was developed by George Allen, PhD, professor in veterinary science at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center and head of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE, or World Organization for Animal Health) reference laboratory for equine herpesvirus in the Western hemisphere.

“The testing protocol has been provided to the Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Laboratory,” said Allen, “and a manuscript describing the technique has been submitted for publication.” The research that resulted in the 24-hour test was funded by Keeneland Association.

Allen will make the testing procedure available to any veterinary diagnostic laboratory that might have an interest in using it for diagnostic evaluation of suspect cases of EHV-1 neurologic disease. Interested parties can contact Allen at gallen@uky.edu or by calling the Gluck Equine Research Center at 859/257-4757