Equine Rhinopneumonitis
Disease Name:
Equine Rhinopneumonitis
Species Affected:
Equidae
About the Disease:
Equine Rhinopneumonitis is highly contagious viral disease of horses characterized by upper
respiratory tract infection. The severity of respiratory disease varies with the age of the horse and the
level of immunity resulting from previous vaccination or natural exposure. This disease is an OIE
Reportable Disease as in the Disease Category 4.
Animals Affected:
Horses and donkeys.
Cause:
Equine Rhinopneumonitis is caused by caused by either of two members of the Herpesviridae
family Equine herpesvirus -1 (EHV-1) and Equine herpesvirus -1 4 (EHV-4). Both viruses are
endemic in most equine populations. Infection by either EHV-1 or EHV-4 is characterized by a
primary respiratory tract disease of varying severity that is related to the age and immunological
status of the infected animal. Infections by EHV-1 in particular are capable of progression
beyond the respiratory mucosa to cause the more serious disease manifestations of abortion,
perinatal foal death, or neurological dysfunction.
Source of infection:
Affected or Carrier animals are usually the source for new infection .The virus is spread via
aerosolized secretions from infected coughing horses, by direct and indirect (fomite) contact with
nasal secretions, and in contact with aborted fetuses, fetal fluids, and placentae associated with
abortions.
Symptoms:
Equine Rhinopneumonitis is characterized
(rhinopneumonitis) of varying severity.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Nasal discharge
Fever
Cough
Discharge from the eyes
Depression
Loss of appetite
by a
primary respiratory tract
disease
7. Perinatal foal death
8. Neurological dysfunction
9. Abortion
10. Death.
Control and Management:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Isolation and quarantine of newly brought animal in the herd.
Isolation of infected horses.
Annual vaccinations and good sanitary practices provide the best preventive treatment.
Good Stable hygiene is always recommended.
Slaughtering and proper disposal of infected animals is advisable for the risk of further
transmission.
Vaccines:
In India no potent vaccines is available and the immunity derived from vaccination for Equine
Rhinopneumonitis is short lived so a booster vaccination should be given to extend immunity for
this disease. In other countries, both live attenuated and inactivated viral vaccines of varying
composition are commercially available. Multiple vaccines are available ( Duvaxyn EHV1,4, EquiGuard,
EquiVac EHV-1/4, etc.), most in an inactivated virus form.
Meteorological Occurrence:
Its distribution occurs in world wide.
Prepared by:
Dr. Peter N
JRF, NADRS, Manipur.
Disease Investigatory Laboratory
Directorate of Veterinary, & A.H. Services,
Manipur