What is the primary route of transmission for EHV-1?

What is the primary route of transmission for EHV-1?

• A. Direct contact transmission
• B. Aerosol transmission
• C. Vector-borne transmission
• D. Reproductive transmission

Answer: (A)

Direct contact transmission is the primary route because EHV-1 is shed in nasal secretions and readily spread when horses have close contact or share contaminated surfaces and equipment. Infected animals can pass the virus to others through nose-to-nose contact, or via touching contaminated water troughs, feed_bins, tack, or handlers’ clothing and hands. This proximity exposure is what drives most outbreaks, especially in group housing and during stressful periods. Aerosol spread can occur in crowded conditions, but it relies on that same close-contact exposure and is not the main mechanism in typical transmission. Reproductive transmission can happen (semen, placental infection), but it is not the primary route for spread among the general horse population. Vector-borne transmission is not a recognized route for EHV-1.

Direct contact transmission is the primary route because EHV-1 is shed in nasal secretions and readily spread when horses have close contact or share contaminated surfaces and equipment. Infected animals can pass the virus to others through nose-to-nose contact, or via touching contaminated water troughs, feed_bins, tack, or handlers’ clothing and hands. This proximity exposure is what drives most outbreaks, especially in group housing and during stressful periods. Aerosol spread can occur in crowded conditions, but it relies on that same close-contact exposure and is not the main mechanism in typical transmission. Reproductive transmission can happen (semen, placental infection), but it is not the primary route for spread among the general horse population. Vector-borne transmission is not a recognized route for EHV-1.