Other Equine Diseases

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

January 2 — Update on Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

The TAHC has released movement restrictions on a Central Texas farm where two horses tested positive for Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) in November 2011.

EVA can be transmitted through both the respiratory and reproductive systems. Most horses infected with EVA are asymptomatic, but some exhibit flu-like symptoms for a short time and mares may abort. There is no specific treatment for EVA and adult horses can completely recover. However, the virus commonly persists in the accessory glands of recovered stallions, making them carrier stallions. Carrier stallions continue to shed virus for years and remain a significant source of infection. Vaccination and isolation from other infected horses can help prevent the spread of the disease.

TAHC regulations state that a carrier stallion is determined through virus isolation and positive PCR tests on semen. All owners, managers and/or caretakers of EVA carrier stallions must provide written notification to owners of mares that are to be bred to an EVA carrier stallion, either by live cover or artificial insemination, that the stallion is an EVA carrier and the mare could become infected through breeding.

For more information regarding EVA, visit the following websites:

Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE)

August 18	Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) Confirmed in Mexico

Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1)

Useful Links:

Contagious Equine Metritis

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a transmissible venereal disease of horses caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. It is considered a foreign animal disease – one that is not endemic to the United States. CEM is a serious disease because it is highly contagious and can have a devastating effect on equine reproductive efficiency.