The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has quarantined a Westampton farm after a 5-year-old horse was diagnosed with the highly infectious equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) respiratory strain. Myeloencephalopathy is the often deadly, neurologic form of EHV-1 infection.
The horse had rapid progression of clinical signs typical of EHV-1 including front and rear lack of muscle control, hind limb weakness, stumbling, and right facial paralysis. The animal was euthanized on Feb. 14.
A 21-day quarantine was placed on the barn on the property and biosecurity measures are in effect for the duration of the quarantine. All remaining horses will have their temperature monitored twice a day. Horse movement in and out of the premises has been analyzed and traces are being followed. To date, none of the other animals have shown signs of illness.
“The department took swift action to prevent the disease from spreading to other horses by enacting a quarantine, which stops movement of horses in and out of the farm and puts in place preventive measures to contain the virus,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher.