b'Veterinarians now know that shared equipment and nose-to-nose contact between horses at events can spread the virus.EHV-1 Then and NowISTOCK.COMNATALIE DEFEE MENDIKResearchEquine herpesvirus outbreaks are nothing new, but their effects can developments,still be dramaticshutting down equine events, obstructing horse transport across state lines, and causing panic in corners of the biosecurityindustry. practices, and vaccinationSeveral types of equine herpesvirus infect horses, but the one that makes the news is equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). This pathogen can cause respiratory disease and abortion in its milder recommendationsforms, but it can also cause neurologic disease that might be fatal. Horses can become infect-ed by inhaling airborne viral particles or by coming into contact with contaminated surfaces that have comeand equipment; human hands, clothing, and footwear; and water and feed sources. out of recent EHVEHV-1 exposure happens to most horses early in life; we dont currently have any means to avoid that early exposure and infection, says Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, outbreaks professor emeritus at Colorado State Universitys (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, in Fort Collins. Yes, a vaccine exists, and veterinarians recommend it, but its complicated; the vaccine isnt labeled to protect against the neurologic form of the disease.Over the past few decades veterinarians and researchers have investigated major EHV-1 outbreaks in the U.S. to learn more about how to contain and prevent future occurrences. TheHorse.com | The HorseAugust 201927'