Equine herpesvirus type 1-associated myeloencephalopathy in The Netherlands: a four-year retrospective study (1999-2003).
Equine herpesvirus type 1(EHV-1)-associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a rare disease affecting the central nervous system and, in particular, the spinal cord of horses. Epidemiologic data are limited, and usually are restricted to the description of a single outbreak. During an observational period of 4 years, we evaluated 9 outbreaks of EHM in The Netherlands. A risk factor analysis was done on the data from 6 outbreaks. Findings were: regular appearance of EHM outbreaks in The Netherlands (2-3/y); strong association of EHM with season; and risk factors, such as breed, sex, age, and fever. Female horses, aged horses, and specific breeds were at greater risk to develop severe neurologic disease. Other breeds and horses <3 years old were never observed to suffer from EHM during these outbreaks. It was concluded that breed variation, in addition to the presence of a specific EHV-1 strain, and environmental factors influence an outbreak of EHM on a premise.
Goehring
Lutz S
LS
Department of Equine Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands. lutz.goehring@colostate.edu
van Winden
Steven C
SC
van Maanen
C
C
Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan
Marianne M
MM
D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004861:Herpesvirus 1, Equid; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010375:Pedigree; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors