Management of an outbreak of multiple equine herpesvirus type 1 abortions among vaccinated mares on a large UK Thoroughbred stud farm

Moore, S E; Strang, C L; Marr, C M; Newton, R; Cameron, I J

Abstract

An outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) abortions on a UK Thoroughbred stud farm between February 23 and April 2, 2016, is described. The outbreak resulted in the loss of 10 Thoroughbred foals, confirmed pathologically and virologically as EHV-1 infection at postmortem. All aborting mares were vaccinated against EHV-1 according to manufacturer’s recommendations, but had contact with the index aborting mare, either as field companions or housed in the American barn at the time she and subsequent mares aborted. Control measures were implemented in accordance with the Thoroughbred Industry’s Code of Practice on recognising the index case and were maintained until the outbreak had resolved. The report illustrates that prompt investigation and management of this disease outbreak can optimise the safe return of the stud farm to normal breeding operations and highlights EHV-1’s continued potential for multiple late gestation pregnancy losses in mares, despite vaccination.

Citation

Moore, S. E., Strang, C. L., Marr, C. M., Newton, R., & Cameron, I. J. (in press). Management of an outbreak of multiple equine herpesvirus type 1 abortions among vaccinated mares on a large UK Thoroughbred stud farm. https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2018-000799

• Journal Article Type: Other
• Acceptance Date: Apr 28, 2019
• Deposit Date: Jun 29, 2019
• Journal: Veterinary Record Case Reports
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Pages: e000799
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/vetreccr-2018-000799
• Public URL: https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/output/1382640