The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has confirmed a diagnosis of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in two horses in Virginia.
On Tuesday, February 27, the State Veterinarian’s Office at VDACS confirmed that two horses exhibiting neurological signs tested positive for equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1), the virus that causes EHM. Both horses were euthanized. There is no link between the two horses and the timing of the EHM finding is coincidental.
One horse was housed at the Hazelwild Equestrian Center in Fredericksburg, and the second was located on a private farm in Powhatan County.
Both facilities have been placed under quarantine.
All exposed horses are being monitored twice daily for fever (temperature over 101.5 F) and other clinical signs.
VDACS is working with the facility owners to determine if any exposed horses have left the premises.
Owners of exposed horses will be notified and are advised to isolate and observe their horses closely for signs of the disease.
This information was provided by the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), which works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America.
