Sussex County, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) has placed a Sussex County property under quarantine following the confirmation that two horses contracted Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM). This marks the second EHM-positive farm in New Jersey this year.
One of the infected horses, a 7-year-old Standardbred mare, displayed symptoms on October 1 and has since recovered after receiving timely medical treatment. A second horse, a 3-year-old Standardbred mare, was euthanized on October 7 due to severe deterioration.
EHM is the neurologic manifestation of the Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), a potentially fatal infection. “The Department quickly took the necessary steps in an effort to stop the disease from spreading by placing a quarantine on the movement of other horses to and from the property,” said Joseph Atchison III, New Jersey Assistant Secretary of Agriculture. “These preventative measures are vital in containing what is a highly contagious virus for horses.”
In addition to the quarantined horses, their temperatures are being monitored twice daily. The NJDA is also initiating contact tracing for recent horse movement and notifying appropriate parties. EHV-1 spreads rapidly among horses and can lead to respiratory issues, spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares, and, in its neurologic form, can result in death. Symptoms of the virus include fever, nasal discharge, cough, loss of appetite, and more severe clinical signs like hind end weakness in cases involving the neurologic strain.
The virus is endemic in the United States but does not persist in the environment for long. It can be neutralized by basic hygiene products like hand soap and alcohol-based sanitizers, as well as by exposure to sunlight. EHV-1 does not affect humans or other domestic animals, with the exception of llamas and alpacas.
The NJDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is available for veterinarians needing EHV-1 testing. Horse owners concerned about potential exposure should consult their veterinarians, as the symptoms for EHM are common to various other diseases. EHM is a reportable disease in New Jersey, and horse owners who suspect Equine Herpes are directed to contact their veterinarian immediately. For further information on testing, visit the lab’s website at www.jerseyvetlab.nj.gov.