ALBURGH, Vt. (WCAX) – Horse racing season is coming and experts say owners should be very careful to keep them healthy. This is because an Alburgh animal is sick with a contagious virus that is known to cause outbreaks.
It is equine herpes. Vermont state veterinarian Kristin Haas says most horses will contract the virus at some point in their lives, presenting with respiratory symptoms, but this neurological presentation is much more unusual. It is sometimes called equine herpesvirus (EHM) myeloencephalopathy. Haas stresses quarantining horses for several weeks before attending events, where they are likely to spread.
When the horses are away from home, Haas suggests keeping the animals at a safe distance, as humans have practiced over the past year.
“The most common form of this disease is spread through horse-to-horse contact, but it can also be transported from one horse to another by stain, buckets, carts, supplies and on people’s bodies and shoes , and things like that, ”Haas said.
The virus cannot be transmitted to people. Alburgh’s infected horse is currently in quarantine. If your horse has a fever or other neurological symptoms, such as standing problems, call a veterinarian immediately.
For more information on this virus, visit here.
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