Abstract
In May 2018, Wolvega Equine Hospital (WEH) experienced an EHV-1 outbreak. This outbreak caused significant economic losses and negative publicity for the hospital. How should hospitals prepare themselves for these outbreaks and prevent shedding of the virus on multiple neighboring premises? The hospital transformed most of its activities into mobile practice and the entire infected hospital population was moved to a separate remote location. The hospital was cleaned and disinfected according to the latest recommendations before reopening. Four neighboring professional equine businesses and three privately owned premises were affected by the spread of the virus from the hospital population and initiated quarantine restrictions. Equine hospitals should prepare themselves for EHV-1 outbreaks as the intake of the virus cannot be prevented. A management protocol should include public information protocols, swift client information and quarantine measures that ensure quick containment of the outbreak. Timely reopening of the hospital can be achieved by rehousing the contaminated population. It should also include good regulations with clients and a properly carried out release protocol. Equine sports organizations should establish sufficient vaccination coverage in order to decrease the frequency of EHV-1 outbreaks.
Highlights
Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1)-associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a highly complex and multifactorial equine disease
EHV-1 is highly contagious with the potential to cause an outbreak on multiple neighboring premises and have major consequences for the Equidae affected, including permanent neurological deficits or even death [1]
On 2 May, the date of hospital closure, all febrile horses, six in total, were tested for EHV-1 by PCR on nasopharyngeal swab extracts, with three individuals testing positive for EHV-1
Summary
Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1)-associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a highly complex and multifactorial equine disease. It is considered a complication following EHV-1 respiratory tract infection and viremia. EHV-1 is highly contagious with the potential to cause an outbreak on multiple neighboring premises and have major consequences for the Equidae affected, including permanent neurological deficits or even death [1]. Alongside this lies a huge economic impact for the equine industry concerned. The virus spreads systemically, causing a primary viremia. A secondary phase of infection can ensue, this is termed “leucocyte-assisted viremia”, and leads to dissemination of the virus to several organ systems, one of which is the central nervous system (CNS)
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