Baltimore County Horse Tests Positive for Equine Herpes Virus

ANNAPOLIS, MD – A horse from Baltimore County was euthanized at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center on January 16 after testing positive for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1). The horse was originally transported to the facility for an unrelated medical issue. The horse began displaying neurological symptoms on January 14.

The Baltimore County farm of origin is presently under a 21-day investigational hold and strict biosecurity measures are in place while Maryland Department of Agriculture inspectors perform additional epidemiological and infectious disease testing. The Maryland and Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture are working with the University of Pennsylvania to establish and notify epidemiologic links to the sick horse.

Owners are cautioned to monitor horses at their premises carefully, and 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.

# # #

Follow Maryland Department of Agriculture on Twitter @MdAgDept