The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reported that a 19-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was confirmed with neurologic herpesvirus (equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy or EHM) on February 21. The gelding had onset of clinical signs on February 20 that included hind limb ataxia, urine dribbling and progression to recumbency. The gelding was euthanized. His vaccination status was not reported.
There were 53 horses exposed, according to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The infected horse was at a boarding stable in Powhatan County. The boarding stable has been placed under quarantine. No horses have left the property in at least two weeks. All exposed horses are being monitored twice daily for fever (temperature over 101.5 degrees F) and other clinical signs. No additional Virginia horses have been exposed.
Information for this report was provided by the Equine Disease Communication Center.
