Equine herpes virus1 (EHV1) and Equine herpes virus4 (EHV4) are double stranded DNA viruses of the family Herpesviridae, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, genus Varicellovirus.They are clinically and pathologically indistinguishable and are the primary pathogens causing respiratory tract disease in young horses from weanling to 2 years of age.
EHV1 and EHV4 are major causes of abortion and respiratory disease in horses, respectively, whereas EHV1 also causes occasional neurological defects in horses. The virus can spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands. Clinical signs are most intense and virus shedding most abundant during the first few days of infection. The time between an initial EHV1 infection of the respiratory tract and the onset of neurological signs is about 8-12 days. The neurological symptoms appear suddenly and reach peak intensity within 48 hours.
EHV4 causes rhinopneumonitis in horses and respiratory infection in foals, leaving a lifelong latent infection in affected animals. These horses are usually the source for new infection in foals over two months old, weanlings, and yearlings. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, and nasal discharge. Most infected animals recover in one to three weeks, but death can occur in environments with overcrowding and other stress factors. EHV4 rarely causes abortion in infected pregnant mares unlike its EHV1 counterpart.
Normal Turnaround time for pathogen Identification is within 5 working days. Urgent Samples will be reported within half of the minimum test period & will be Charged Double.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day unless urgent.
Equine herpes virus1 (EHV1) and Equine herpes virus4 (EHV4) are double stranded DNA viruses of the family Herpesviridae, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, genus Varicellovirus.They are clinically and pathologically indistinguishable and are the primary pathogens causing respiratory tract disease in young horses from weanling to 2 years of age.
EHV1 and EHV4 are major causes of abortion and respiratory disease in horses, respectively, whereas EHV1 also causes occasional neurological defects in horses. The virus can spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands. Clinical signs are most intense and virus shedding most abundant during the first few days of infection. The time between an initial EHV1 infection of the respiratory tract and the onset of neurological signs is about 8-12 days. The neurological symptoms appear suddenly and reach peak intensity within 48 hours.
EHV4 causes rhinopneumonitis in horses and respiratory infection in foals, leaving a lifelong latent infection in affected animals. These horses are usually the source for new infection in foals over two months old, weanlings, and yearlings. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, and nasal discharge. Most infected animals recover in one to three weeks, but death can occur in environments with overcrowding and other stress factors. EHV4 rarely causes abortion in infected pregnant mares unlike its EHV1 counterpart.
Normal Turnaround time for pathogen Identification is within 5 working days. Urgent Samples will be reported within half of the minimum test period & will be Charged Double.
Samples delivered after 11:00 AM will be processed next working day unless urgent.
