Georgia large animal teaching hospital under quarantine for EHV-1

The University of Georgia Large Animal Veterinary Teaching Hospital has been temporarily closed for quarantine for the equine herpesvirus, according to a university release. On Jan. 31, a horse was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit and tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) after being humanely euthanized for progressive neurologic disease on Feb. 1.

EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease, abortion and neurologic disease in horses. While the virus is highly contagious to other horses, it is species-specific, so it does not affect humans, dogs and cats, though alpacas and llamas can be infected.

The university is working with the Georgia state veterinarian's office to provide recommendations for quarantine procedures for the horses that were discharged from the teaching hospital after the affected horse was admitted, the release states. The horses that are still at the hospital are being monitored closely and will remain until they can be discharged safely.

The state veterinarian's office is working to determine the source of the infection and to identify and isolate potentially exposed horses. At this time, according to the release, neither the university nor the state veterinarian has been notified of any other animals showing signs or testing positive for EHV-1 in association with this incident.