A unique disease that affects only horses has been reported in southern Alberta. The disease is known as equine herpes virus -1. The virus which causes equine herpes may also lead to upper-respiratory distress and neurological and spinal problems. It is a lethal disease.

The virus is usually spread from horse to horse through nasal secretions. But it can also be spreads by the person who is in close contact with a sick horse and doesn’t wash hands afterward.

A single case of equine herpes virus–1 which was reported in southern Alberta has been isolated and is now under recovery. The owner of the horse, Hauer said that he didn’t know how it caught the disease.

It is believed that during a recent Utah cutting horse show a number of horses where gathered and were exposed to virus. But Hauer said that the infected horse had not attended that event.

The disease is deadly as it attacks the brain of the animal. There have been 17 confirmed cases of equine herpes virus–1 in the West and 10 such cases were confirmed in California. It has come to light that three horses have died of the virus. The horse owners are urged to keep a check upon their horses and should consult a vet if their horse shows any unusual symptoms.