Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) is associated with respiratory disease, abortions, perinatal mortality and, occasionally, neurological disorders.
EHV disease has a complex epidemiology. Clinically and subclinically infected horses and latent carriers may excrete virus.
Epizootics of herpesvirus disease are most commonly associated with management activities that bring together in close proximity large number of horses under conditions that produce stress; i.e. weaning, transport and intermingling of horses originating from diverse locations.
Abortion due to EHV infection usually occurs in the last 4 months of gestation but the time interval between infection and abortion may be several weeks.
Effective control of EHV induced respiratory disease and abortions involves application of carefully executed management practices, including vaccination to minimise the spread of disease and the level of virus challenge.
It is recommended to vaccinate all horses on the premises, according to the recommendations of the datasheet. If horses are not vaccinated in accordance with the datasheet recommendations for Equip EHV1,4 the immune responses may be impaired.
The primary vaccination programme against respiratory disease has been developed to coincide with the expected decline of maternally derived antibody (MDA). In some foals MDA can decline earlier than 5 months of age, for example when regular booster vaccination of the dam has not taken place, or when there has been no recent field infection. Under these circumstances, the timing of the vaccination programme should be planned accordingly.
This vaccine does not prevent respiratory disease, abortion or perinatal mortality caused by other agents.
In any animal population there will be a small number of individuals which fail to respond fully to vaccination. Successful vaccination depends upon correct storage and administration of the vaccine and the animal's ability to respond. Immune competence can be influenced by genetic factors, intercurrent infection, age, nutritional status, concurrent drug therapy, stress, etc.
Disposal
Dispose of waste material by incineration or immersion in an appropriate disinfectant approved for use by the competent authorities.