What is the most effective means of preventing EHM in horses?

What is the most effective means of preventing EHM in horses?

• A. Temperature checks two times per day
• B. Biosecurity
• C. Vaccination
• D. Prophylactic antibiotics

Answer: (B)

Biosecurity is the cornerstone of preventing EHM in horses because it directly limits how the equine herpesvirus can enter and spread within a group. EHV-1, which can cause the neurologic form of disease, spreads through nasal secretions, aerosols, contaminated equipment, tack, water troughs, and even hands or clothing. The most effective approach is to interrupt these transmission pathways: quarantine new arrivals away from the main herd and observe them for signs, use dedicated clothing and equipment for different groups, thoroughly disinfect stalls, buckets, saddles, and tack between uses, control who comes and goes and how they move between horses, practice strict hand hygiene, and avoid sharing gear or water sources. Vaccination can help reduce disease severity and shedding in some scenarios, but it doesn’t reliably prevent the neurologic form of EHV-1. Temperature checks may catch some fevers but fever isn’t a consistently reliable early indicator, and many infected animals may shed virus before fever appears. Prophylactic antibiotics are not effective against viruses and aren’t a preventive strategy for EHM. By minimizing exposure and transmission through strong biosecurity, you significantly reduce the risk of EHM.

Biosecurity is the cornerstone of preventing EHM in horses because it directly limits how the equine herpesvirus can enter and spread within a group. EHV-1, which can cause the neurologic form of disease, spreads through nasal secretions, aerosols, contaminated equipment, tack, water troughs, and even hands or clothing. The most effective approach is to interrupt these transmission pathways: quarantine new arrivals away from the main herd and observe them for signs, use dedicated clothing and equipment for different groups, thoroughly disinfect stalls, buckets, saddles, and tack between uses, control who comes and goes and how they move between horses, practice strict hand hygiene, and avoid sharing gear or water sources. Vaccination can help reduce disease severity and shedding in some scenarios, but it doesn’t reliably prevent the neurologic form of EHV-1. Temperature checks may catch some fevers but fever isn’t a consistently reliable early indicator, and many infected animals may shed virus before fever appears. Prophylactic antibiotics are not effective against viruses and aren’t a preventive strategy for EHM. By minimizing exposure and transmission through strong biosecurity, you significantly reduce the risk of EHM.