Equine herpesvirus

Herpesvirus infections in horses are caused by different forms of herpes. The most economically important is infected with equine herpesvirus 1 ( EHV -1).

Equine herpesvirus 1 ( EHV-1 ) and 4 ( EHV -4)

Of equine herpesvirus-1 infections trigger a Rhinopneumonitis from (inflammation of the airways) or the virus abortion in mares. Equine herpesvirus 4 can also cause Rhinopneumonitis, but no virus abortion. The viruses pass through the nose (droplet infection) in the animal. They are widely used and widely endemic, so that it often comes to reinfection. For respiratory disease usually occurs only in young animals or debilitated animals. The virus abortion occurs in late pregnancy.

Rhinopneumonitis

The disease manifests itself mainly in the upper respiratory tract (rhinitis, pharyngitis ), possibly also in pneumonia. The incubation period is 2-10 days. It manifests itself with fever ( 40.5 ° C). These usually come cough and nasal and ocular discharge. To which there is a temporary neutropenia and lymphopenia. The disease usually heals in 2 out (up to 5) weeks. It may lead to a secondary bacterial infection.

Virus abortion in mares

Become infected pregnant mares with the virus, it can lead to a departure of the foal between the seventh and eleventh month of gestation. EHV-1 affects the mucous membranes of the uterus and placenta, so that the fetus can not be adequately supplied with nutrients and dies. It can also come to the birth of weak foals, which then usually die shortly after birth.

Paralytic syndrome

Rarely, EHV -1 can also lead to neurological disorders. As a result of myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord ), there is paralysis of the hind limbs.

Prophylaxis

In cases of illness, make sure that the affected animals are isolated and unnecessary human contact is avoided. Who had direct contact with diseased horses, other stables should not enter. The quarantine is to keep upright to three weeks after the acute infection.

Main control means is the preventive vaccination (vaccination ), both live - and inactivated A are available. Although the vaccines trigger antibody formation, but can not completely prevent re-infection with field virus. However, the disease is usually harmless in vaccinated horses, virus abortions do not occur. It should be noted that the vaccination only lasts for a maximum of 9 months, the mucosal immunity is usually much shorter. Therefore, the vaccination should be repeated every 6 months. Pregnant mares should be in 3 / 4 Gestation for the first time in 7/8 Be vaccinated gestation again.

Equine herpesvirus 2 ( EHV -2)

The Equine Herpesvirus 2 is widespread and also occurs without specific diseases in horses. It is transmitted by direct contact with infected animals. Diseases caused by the virus manifest as keratoconjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea of ​​the eye ) and diseases of the upper airways.

Equine herpesvirus 3 ( EHV -3)

Equine herpesvirus 3 solves a benign genital infections from which is also called cold sore or Koitalexanthem. The transmission takes place via the mating ( venereal disease ). Symptoms are pinhead - to pea-sized vesicles, pustules or erosions of the vestibule or the penis or the foreskin. Infected animals remain lifelong carriers of the virus and therefore must be excluded from breeding.

According to § 16 Animal Diseases Act ( Austria ) is the cold sore the horses a notifiable disease.