EHV-1 is one of the most common respiratory diseases among horses and is primarily contracted through respiratory secretions by way of coughing or sneezing.
Unfortunately, there is no vaccine for EHM, the neurologic form of EHV-1. There are, however, several vaccines that were designed to aid in the prevention of respiratory disease (rhinopneumonitis) caused by EHV-1 including:
- Rhinomune
- Pheumabort-K
- Prodigy
- Calvenza
Check with your veterinarian for proper vaccination procedures.
Biosecurity Measures
Owners with infected horses should contact their veterinarian, but the following safety precautions should be taken with any horse that contracts EHV-1:
-  Isolate the infected horse
- Use footbaths when entering or exiting the stable
- Clean and disinfect hands thoroughly after handling the infected horse
- Avoid sharing equipment between horses
- Equine Herpes Virus -1 can survive on fomites for up to 3 days so it is recommended to clean and disinfect any shared equipment like shovels and bits
- Do not share multi-dose oral meds between horses
- Limit contact with the infected horse and number of people exposed to the horse
How to Prevent EHV-1
The following are a list of best practices to follow regarding prevention of EHV-1.
-  Try to avoid shipping your horse with horses from other farms
-  Clean and disinfect trailers between use
- If you visit another barn or farm with horses, take care to change or clean your clothes and boots before returning to your horse
- Keep new horses isolated from the herd for at least 30 days
- Always keep your horse’s vaccinations up-to-date
Contact us with any questions on EHV-1 containment, prevention or treatment.