Disease alerts - Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in Ontario, February 24, 2023 - Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in Ontario, February 24, 2023 - Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in Ontario, February 24, 2023

Back to search results

Regulatory Category- Federal:

Monitored

Regulatory Category- Province or Territory:

Immediately Notifiable

Animal Type:

Equine

Susceptible Animal Types:

Equine

Animal Class:

Terrestrial

Disease Agent:

Equine herpes virus

Disease Agent Type:

Virus

Organization:

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)

Region:

Ontario

Event Size:

1 individual

Problem(s):

Nervous systems signs

Topics:

Emerging

Start Date

Feb/22/2023

End Date

Feb/22/2023

Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in Ontario, February 24, 2023

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

A mature mare developed mild ataxia on February 22, 2023. The day before, a paddock mate developed signs of vestibular disease (head tilt, nystagmus, ataxia) as well as urinary incontinence. Both mares were referred to an equine hospital on February 22, 2023 for assessment and treatment. Test results on the mare with vestibular signs were confirmed to be equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) on February 24, 2023. The facility owner has implemented voluntary movement restrictions and biosecurity measures under the supervision of the attending veterinarian.

EHV-1 infection is immediately notifiable by laboratories to the Office of the Chief Veterinarian for Ontario under the Animal Health Act, 2009. 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