HEALTH ALERT: Positive Case of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy Confirmed in Ontario

Equestrian Canada – On April 2, 2019, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) was notified of a confirmed case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) due to equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) at a facility with both competition and resident horses in the Regional Municipality of York, ON. An unvaccinated senior gelding was euthanized after developing sudden and severe neurological signs. The facility owner’s veterinarian is advising the owner on movement restrictions and biosecurity.

A second horse, which had been stabled at the same facility for a short period of time prior to returning to the District of Cochrane, ON, has since developed intermittent fevers and has also tested positive for EHV-1. The owner of the second affected facility has placed that premises under a voluntary quarantine.

In Ontario, EHV-1 infection is immediately notifiable by laboratories to OMAFRA under the Animal Health Act.

Attending veterinarians concerned about potential cases of EHV-1 infection may contact an OMAFRA veterinarian through the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300.

More details can be found in the following document from OMAFRA.