APRIL 2021 THE RIDER /3 Animal Health: Equine Herpesvirus -


disease that usually causes respiratory illness in horses. It can also result in abortion, neurological symptoms and even death, so it is important to prevent the spread of the disease.


coming sick.


velop neurological signs ranging from slight in- coordination to severe paralysis and death. Horses can also carry the virus without be-


veterinarian will provide instructions on giving rest and care for your horse. Your veterinarian can make recommendations on medications to treat secondary infections. Steroids and antiviral med- ications can be effective in some situations. Horses may have to be euthanized due to the severity of symptoms. When a horse with neuro- logical symptoms dies or is euthanized, it is ex- tremely important that your veterinarian test the horse for EHM and other neurological diseases, such as rabies or Eastern equine encephalitis.


horse is sick. Keep your sick horse separate from other horses and use different equipment to feed, water and care for it. Work with healthy animals first, then with sick animals. When working with sick horses, always wear separate clothes and boots and wash your hands when finished. If your horse is diagnosed with EHM, your


Treatment Call your veterinarian if you believe your


that reduces shedding of the virus. However, the vaccine does not prevent the disease or minimize clinical signs and may not protect against EHM.


Transmission to Humans This disease does not affect humans.


erinarians who use a laboratory outside of On- tario must notify the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) if EHM is diagnosed in an animal. OMAFRA will work with the equine industry to help prevent the spread of equine herpesvirus and EHM.


to www.ontario.ca/animalhealth. For more information on animal health, go


Reporting Veterinary laboratories in Ontario and vet-


dations about quarantining and monitoring horses that have been to a horse show or other place where equine herpesvirus infection or EHM has been diagnosed. There is a vaccine for equine herpesvirus


tain a herd health program and have your veteri- narian visit regularly. Keep new horses separate from the main herd for at least 2 to 3 weeks after arrival, and separate sick horses from healthy ones (Figure 2). Use signs to notify visitors of your biosecurity protocols, and keep a log of per- sons visiting your farm. Clean and disinfect equipment after use, and keep your farm clean and free of pests. Your veterinarian can also make recommen-


with an infected horse or contaminated equip- ment. It can also be spread on the clothing, hands or tools of people who have visited a farm af- fected by the disease. Biosecurity is important to prevent the spread of equine herpesvirus and EHM. Practise disease prevention every day. Main-


Prevention and Management The virus spreads easily by direct contact


a fever, little to no appetite and show signs of res- piratory illness, including runny nose and cough. In pregnant horses, if the disease is more severe, the horse may abort several weeks after becom- ing sick. A foal that is born with the disease will usually die shortly after birth. In rare cases with EHV-1, a horse will de-


in Guelph diagnoses several cases of respiratory disease or abortion due to EHV-1 in Ontario. Clinical Signs A horse infected with the disease may have


ing EHV-1 and EHV-4. The EHV-4 type is the most common and only causes respiratory dis- ease. The EHV-1 type also causes respiratory dis- ease but can create even more severe symptoms, including abortion and death of newborn foals. In rare cases, the EHV-1 type leads to severe neuro- logical symptoms and death, a condition called equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). Every year, the Animal Health Laboratory


virus that is carried and spread by horses. Most horses have been exposed to the virus by the age of 2 years. There are several types of the virus, includ-


Cause Equine herpesvirus is caused by a common


World Cup Continued from Page 1


What is it? What to do? cured silver with 74.030%, and Cooper and Hot Equine herpesvirus is a highly contagious


we had with Vanessa and Beatrice. It brought so many memories back from the time we all competed together at the North American Youth Champi- onships. The spirit between us all was fantastic and Denielle, our Chef d’Equipe, was such a supportive, caring and dedicated leader. I am so grateful to my whole team and all my friends behind this. I could never have done it without all of them.” Boucher and Baldacci placed sixth in both the


three days. I’m over the moon to come home with three medals,” said Carier Bergeron. “We had some glitches in the CDIO-U25 Grand Prix, which were unfortunately very expensive. Therefore, for the Freestyle I just wanted to focus on having a clean test, which we did!” Carier Bergeron added, “What a dream team


Chocolate W, who earned bronze with 70.695%. “Acoeur definitely gave it all during the last


visit https://results.equestrian-hub.com/gdf. Visit the EC website for more information about dressage programs and services.


Photo at right: The extensive experience of the U25 team resulted in a gold medal for Canada. L


Photo Credit: Susan J. Stickle


to R: Camille Carier Bergeron, Beatrice Boucher, Vanessa Creech-Terauds


these girls was inspiring,” said Chef d’Équipe, De- nielle Gallagher-Legriffon of the Canadian U-25 team. “They all tried their best, took each day and improved upon their performances. I feel so confi- dent that these girls will be incredible ambassadors for Canada across the globe. I’m so proud!” For full results from the AGDF CDIO-U25,


CDIO-U25 Grand Prix (65.513%) and CDIO-U25 Freestyle (70.315%). Creech-Terauds and Fleur de Lis L closed the competition by placing seventh in the CDIO-U25 Grand Prix (65.000%) and fifth in the CDIO-U25 Freestyle on a score of 70.325%. “The horsemanship and professionalism from


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