Equine Viral Arteritis – EVA

Pashu Sandesh, 23 July 2024

Madhu Shivhare, Nitin Bajaj, S. S. Mahour and Jyotsana

College of Veterinary Science and AH, Mhow

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is an acute, contagious, viral disease of equids caused by the equine arteritis virus. It is characterized by fever, depression, dependent oedema (especially of the limbs, scrotum, and prepuce in the stallion), conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, abortion, and infrequently, death in young foals. EVA can lead to abortion in mares, it is a major cause for concern among horse breeders.

Etiology

Equine arteritis virus is a small, enveloped RNA virus and the prototype virus of the genus Arterivirus, family Arteriviridae, order Nidovirales.

Clinical Findings

  • Fever, Swelling (edema) mostly of the legs, scrotum, sheath or mammary glands.
  • Loss of appetite (anorexia), Depression.
  • Nasal discharge, initially watery, but becoming mucoid later.
  • Conjunctivitis may be accompanied by tearing down the face and swelling above or around the eyes.
  • Skin rash (urticaria), is often localized to the cheeks or sides of the neck, but sometimes generalized over the body.
  • Pneumonia or pneumonia with enteritis in very young foals
  • Abortion occurs late in the acute phase or early in the recovery phase of the infection, not months after the virus exposure has taken place.
  • Abortion has been observed as a sequel to either clinical or asymptomatic infection.
  • Abortion often results when an unprotected or first-time EVA-vaccinated mare has been bred with virus-infected semen and is then blended with other pregnant mares.

 Diagnosis:

           Virus isolation by swabs should be transferred to a suitable viral transport medium and shipped (together with any fluids or tissues collected for either virus isolation or PCR) refrigerated or frozen in an insulated container via an overnight delivery service. Unclotted blood samples must be transported refrigerated but not frozen.

Treatment, Prevention, and Control:

        There is no known specific antiviral treatment for EVA. Because virtually all acutely affected horses recover completely, symptomatic treatment (eg, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic agents) is indicated only in severe cases.

 

 
 

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