In several departments in France (Ille-et-Vilaine, Calvados, Sarthe, Maine-et-Loire, Orne, Mayenne) alerts of HVE-1, the potentially fatal equine rhinopneumonia, have been recorded. There are three forms of the disease; abortive, respiratory and neurological (the rarest and most dangerous), and all three forms have been detected. In all, the RESPE (Equine Pathology Epidemiological Surveillance Network) reports 22 outbreaks and approximately 200 sick or suspect horses: mainly sports horses (figures from 27 April).

Find the map updated by RESPE here

Following this alert, competition riders in these departments and those in the surrounding area had to face the cancellation of a certain number of competitions (CSO in Deauville, Le Mans, CDI in Saumur in particular) to avoid the risk of spreading the epidemic.

Equine rhinopneumonia

HVE-1 is an infectious disease of the Herpesvirus family. very contagiouswhich is easily transmitted by infected horses, but also by healthy carrier horses (horses without symptoms but can become contagious). The disease is transmitted by respiratory secretions (for the respiratory form), by contact with a runt or by uterine secretions (for the abortive form).

Symptoms to watch for Fever, respiratory problems, cough, runny nose, hyperthermia, despondency, fatigue, depression, loss of appetite, abortion. Vaccinated horses, on the other hand, will present mostly alleviated symptoms. These symptoms will generally appear 2 to 10 days after contamination. Finally, the most advanced neurological cases may present paresis, loss of balance and consciousness disorders.

The treatment There is no treatment for the abortive form, and treatments exist for the respiratory and nervous forms, but they will only alleviate the symptoms.

Precautions to take during epidemics

- Keep up to date with vaccinations
Vaccinate horses vaccinated more than 6 months ago, and vaccinate unvaccinated and unexposed horses. However, the vaccine will only take effect 4 to 6 weeks after the first injection
Vaccination is not recommended for exposed horses.

- Limiting horse movements and contact with other horses

- Use your own equipment, equipment specific to each horse (equipment, buckets, etc.) and disinfect used equipment

- Isolate new horses and horses returning from a move

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In conclusion

Be vigilant, take precautions and follow the measures recommended by RESPE to limit the epidemic.

If in doubt, call your veterinarian to test the horse in question (tests for HVE-1 are a nasal swab and blood sample that may or may not confirm the disease). And if the disease is confirmed, don't forget to report the animal as sick.

LE RESPE " strongly advises gathering sites that have recently hosted suspect or confirmed horses to suspend their participation in competitions or the organization of events on their premises " and " also urges owners of horses that have taken part in competitions in high-risk geographical areas (with confirmed outbreaks), to keep a closer watch on their animals and not to visit competition grounds in the event of suspicion, pending the results of sampling, or in the event of confirmation".

To read the full RESPE press release, click here.

Team Seaver