BEWARE       BEWARE       BEWARE         BEWARE

Many will be aware that there is another viral disease around.

Dr Fiona Thompson from Biosecurity Qld has issued the following communique on Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection

Veterinarians are advised to stay vigilant and up to date with biosecurity measures to prevent and manage equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) following two recent detections. EHV-1 was detected in one horse with neurological signs in the Townsville region and up to three horses with abortions on a single property in the Toowoomba region.
 
EHV-1 is a highly contagious viral disease of horses. In Australia, it commonly causes mild respiratory disease, occasionally causes abortion and very rarely, neurological signs. EHV-1 is endemic in Australia.

Please be assured that all at Equivet Breeding Centre are aware of the situation & taking all necessary precautions.

EHV1 is endemic (everywhere) in Australia & many of your mares will probably already carry the latent infection without showing any clinical signs.

Any stress, such as travel, may cause your mare to exhibit symptoms.

Spread is primarily by nose-to-nose contact with infected horses.

A vaccine against the virus does exist but must be given at 5, 7 & 9 months of pregnancy.

The critical thing is any mares showing clinical signs of respiratory disease (nasal discharge etc) MUST be kept separate from your heavily pregnant mares.

Please contact the Centre if you have any further questions.