A horse stabled in Montgomery County, Maryland, has tested positive for the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and is being treated by a private veterinarian.
The horse had been outside Montgomery County for breeding for more than two weeks before returning home on Monday. The horse began showing mild respiratory and neurologic signs on Tuesday and was seen by a private veterinarian, who reported the suspected neurologic illness to the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) as required by law. Laboratory tests conducted by MDA confirmed the diagnosis. The horse’s condition is improving.
Other horses at the farm are now being tested as are horses that were in contact with the ill horse at the breeding facility. Those results will not be available until April 16. Both farms are presently under a 28-day investigational hold while MDA inspectors perform epidemiologic and infectious disease testing.
Stables near the one where the sick horse resides have been notified of the situation and owners cautioned to monitor horses at their premises carefully.
The MDA’s Animal Health Program is monitoring the situation closely. Owners should contact their private veterinarians to arrange for EHV testing if a horse exhibits significant temperature elevations or neurologic signs. Veterinarians are required to report equine neurologic syndrome to MDA.