Horses leaving their home farm to compete, breed or train can be exposed to a number of diseases, including EHV-1 and EHM. | Photo: The Horse Staff

The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is urging horse owners to do their part to stop the spread of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), a highly contagious disease that has been confirmed in neighboring states.

North and South Dakota recently confirmed cases of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM, the neurologic form of EHV-1), a potentially fatal and reportable disease. The last case of EHM in Minnesota was confirmed in 2015.

“Horses leaving their home farm to compete, breed or train can be exposed to a number of diseases, including EHM,” said Equine Program Manager Courtney Wheeler, DVM. “Owners and exhibitors entering Minnesota from other states are required to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection verifying their horse has been examined by a veterinarian and is free from signs of communicable and contagious diseases