Experts recommend regular vaccination against equine herpes

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According to him, regular vaccination of horses can help develop adequate immunity. Associate Professor Zoltán Bakos emphasized that the symptoms are often difficult to assess, the fever that develops within a few days of infection is often not noticed by animal keepers, and the sick animal’s appetite may remain even then. Inflammation of the lymph nodes and upper respiratory tract and respiratory symptoms in general are more severe in younger animals. Abortion is not preceded by introductory symptoms and it is possible that the foal is born alive, but is so weak that it dies within days.

The most feared form of the disease, the neurological disease, is much more striking, with movement disorders and muscle weakness

In severe cases, the sick horses cannot stand still, and if they lie down for more than 72 hours, there is no chance of recovery if intensive treatment does not bring improvement. In recovered animals, mild symptoms may persist for life. Veterinarian Miklós Jármy emphasized the importance of measuring fever for early detection and called it important to isolate animals that transmit the infection. The International Equestrian Federation (Fédération Equestre Internationale, FEI) does not make vaccination mandatory in the case of equine herpes, as its effectiveness against nervous system symptoms is questionable, but its use can prevent the spread of the pathogenic virus in herds, he added. Associate Professor Orsolya Korbacska-Kutasi also said that the risks caused by equine herpes cannot be completely excluded by vaccination, but their extent can be significantly reduced. She added that approximately 80 percent of horses are latently infected and in the event of reactivation, they easily pass the virus to each other, which can also break through the vaccine protection. However, the use of vaccines is not unnecessary, because outbreaks are significantly rarer in vaccinated herds, as a result of the protection, less virus enters the circulation, and the symptoms associated with the disease are less likely to develop, she added.

The specialist recommended measuring body temperature twice a day in order to recognize the initial symptom, fever, since the rate of fever-free horses shedding the virus is negligible

The use of diagnostic tests that detect virus shedding can also help a lot in reducing the likelihood of outbreaks. Strict control is required at equestrian events by checking horse passports, reading microchips, and then regularly measuring the body temperature of the horses. Animals showing respiratory symptoms must be isolated and the veterinarian must be notified immediately. If the infection appears on a farm, healthy and sick horses, as well as potential carriers of the virus, must be directed to a separate zone. Proper stable hygiene is also important, as is the disinfection of horse transport vehicles, since the virus is also spread by contaminated equipment. Horses arriving from an event must be kept isolated for 14 days, and if a new animal is brought to a farm, it must also be isolated from the other animals, said Orsolya Korbacska-Kutasi.

MTI