Anne Arundel County Horse Tests Positive for Equine Herpes Virus

Ed. Note: Release has been updated with correct location of the sick horse. Previous version identified Prince George’s County–horse was actually stabled in Anne Arundel County.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – A horse stabled in Anne Arundel has tested positive for the non-neuropathogenic form of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). On the evening of April 2, the horse was transported to Marion DuPont Scott Equine Health Center in Leesburg, Va., where it exhibited severe neurological signs, and was euthanized shortly after arrival. Diagnosis of EHV-1 was later confirmed on April 4 by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Animal Health Lab in Warrenton, Va.

The farm is presently under a 21-day investigational hold and strict biosecurity measures are in place while Department of Agriculture inspectors perform additional epidemiological and infectious disease testing. The stable owner is contacting boarders and students. Epidemiological links to the sick horse are being notified of the situation and owners are cautioned to monitor horses at their premises carefully.

The Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Program is monitoring the situation closely. Owners should contact their private veterinarians to arrange for Equine Herpes Virus testing if a horse exhibits significant temperature elevations or neurologic signs. Veterinarians are required to report equine neurologic syndrome to the department.

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