Bonneville County horses euthanized for highly contagious virus

Two horses in Bonneville County were euthanized after displaying neurological symptoms consistent with Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1)

According to the Idaho Department of Agriculture, one of the horses tested positive for the neurologic strain of EHV-1.

The department said Wednesday the farm was a private facility that housed five horses. The first horse to display symptoms was observed last Tuesday and the second horse’s symptoms were discovered Thursday, October 30.

None of the horses had travelled off the farm in recent months and no other horses had been brought into the facility.

The remaining three horses are being monitored and have not exhibited any symptoms of the illness.

Neighbors were notified and are monitoring their horses for the next 14 days.

The virus is highly contagious among horses. Llamas and alpacas are also occasionally affected. The virus is no health threat to humans.

Deputy State Veterinarian, Dr. Scott Leibsle is recommending horse owners incorporate preventative biosecurity measures while transporting or boarding horses at facilities that have regular traffic on and off the grounds and especially where they are likely to come in contact with new or unfamiliar horses such as at a racetrack, rodeo or fairgrounds.

Simple guidelines such as disinfecting a stall before using it, never sharing water buckets, feed buckets, tack or grooming equipment as well as avoiding unnecessary contact with other horses will go a long way in minimizing a horse’s risk of contracting the virus.

Symptoms frequently associated with EHV-1 infection in horses include a fever (>101.5 F), incoordination, hind-end weakness, lethargy, incontinence and diminished tail tone. The virus is easily spread by airborne transmission, horse-to-horse contact and through contact with nasal secretions on equipment, tack, feed and other surfaces. People can spread the virus to horses by means of contaminated hands, clothing, shoes and vehicles. Currently, there is no equine vaccine to protect against the neurological strain of the EHV-1 virus.

According to the department, this is the first confirmed case of the strain in Idaho since 2011. That case was associated with an outbreak in Ogden, Utah.

EHV-1 is also a Notifiable Disease to the State Veterinarian in Idaho. Anyone suspecting or confirming a case of EHV-1 should call (208) 332-8540 or (208) 332-8570 to report cases.