Latest reports have revealed that an outbreak of a disease known as equine herpesvirus-1 or EHV-1 has occurred in Orange County, California. The disease mainly invades horses and camelids, and is found to be highly contagious.

A horse was diagnosed with EHV-1 and has been euthanized due to the same, after being confirmed. It is being said that the disease has targeted many other horses too. It was found that he had a mere fever earlier along with limb edema, i. e. fluid swelling, but he became recumbent later and was therefore euthanized.

It has been found that EHV-1 is not transmitted to humans but tends to pass on from one horse to another, either through direct or indirect contact. Also, it has been found to be the cause of various other ailments in equines, which consists of a respiratory disease known as rhinopneumonitis or myeloencephalopathy, the neurologic form.

The report says that the EHV-1 was first witnesses on January 11 in a horse residing at large multidiscipline facility where there is no movement of horses on or off the property. He was tested positive for the transmissible virus. He had been given veterinary care timely, and was quarantined on the farm in the nick of time. Various other horses were found positive to the debilitating virus.

However, all these horses are kept under quarantine on the farm and are being given veterinary medication. But, one horse has been found having neurologic signs.

It has thus been concluded by the report that the EHV vaccines currently being given to horses are undoubtedly shedding the virus, but are not protecting equines from neurological disorders. Thus, a strict vigil should be kept on the equine industry at present so as to aid them with proper protection.