Two Equine Herpesvirus Abortions in Ontario

Vaccinated Thoroughbred mares on two separate farms in Ontario, Canada, lost pregnancies due to equine herpesvirus.

Vaccinated Thoroughbred mares in Dufferin County and the Regional Municipality of York lost pregnancies due to equine herpesvirus. iStock/Ranier Lesniewski

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food confirmed two cases of fetal loss due to equine herpesvirus abortion.

The first case was in a boarding facility in Dufferin County. The Thoroughbred mare had onset of clinical signs on February 27 and aborted during her 10th month of pregnancy. The cause was confirmed as herpesvirus on March 2. The vaccinated mare is recovering.

The facility manager has placed the farm under voluntary movement restrictions for 21 days and staff have implemented heightened biosecurity protocols with veterinary supervision.

The second case of herpesvirus abortion occurred at a private farm in the Regional Municipality of York. The Thoroughbred mare had onset of clinical signs on March 1 and was confirmed on March 4. Her foal was stillborn. The vaccinated mare is recovering.

The farm manager has isolated the mare and implemented a voluntary 21-day movement restriction. Heightened biosecurity measures are in place and under the supervision of the farm veterinarian.

Information for this report was provided by the Equine Disease Communication Center

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