11/21/2025
Confirmed cases of Equine Herpes have recently been reported in both the United States and Canada by numerous large-animal facilities.
Equine Herpes is a common infectious virus that can be transmitted not only from horse to horse, but also through indirect contact with contaminated equipment, clothing, or surfaces. Consequently, anyone who has interacted with an infected horse can unknowingly carry the virus from one location to another. This presents significant challenges for horse owners and for professionals who provide routine equine services, including veterinary care, farrier work, massage therapy, and more.
Any horse displaying symptoms consistent with EHV-1/EHM should be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days. Early signs include fever, lethargy, and decreased appetite, with possible progression to respiratory and neurological signs symptoms.
Preventative measures are essential to reduce the risk of infection. Strict biosecurity protocols are recommended when handling horses with unknown vaccination histories, those that have recently attended events, or new arrivals to a property. Sharing equipment—such as feed tubs, water buckets, or grooming tools—between horses is strongly discouraged. Additionally, a booster of the EHV vaccine is recommended for horses that have not been vaccinated within the past three months, especially those that travel frequently. Traveling at this time is strongly discourage at this time to prevent the spread.
For more information on how protect your horses from EHV-1/EHM please see the link below from the AAEP
https://aaep.org/resource/client-education-presentation-equine-herpesvirus/?fbclid=IwRlRTSAONeMdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeKyKC4QcEbdCmAL5ip7u3CZ8eXcFAzEEku3MjDA-ufDW_TRBBeiImfInm9es_aem_bY3gAAeeaciR32ei9xTIQg
