On November 8, 2017, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture confirmed equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in a 25-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Warren County, New Jersey. The mare was euthanized on November 2, 2017. All horses at the premises are quarantined.
Biosecurity measures were implemented, and horses are being monitored. No other horses have shown signs of EHM. Exposed horses that attended shows are in good health. Organizers of the events attended by these horses have been contacted directly, and attendees have been notified about the possible exposure.
Concerned owners should contact their veterinarians.
The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
