EVA Articles

Understanding Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

AAEP Guidelines for breeding a mare to an equine arteritis virus-shedding
stallion

Understanding Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) is a contagious disease caused by equine arteritis virus (EAV). hile
it is rarely life threatening to other!ise healthy adult horses" EVA is of s#ecial concern to horse
breeders because it can cause abortion in #regnant mares" death in young foals and render
breeding stallions #ermanent carriers of the virus.
Although EVA outbrea$s occur infrequently" EAV is #resent in horse #o#ulations in many
countries. hile the virus is $no!n to infect many breeds of horses" the #revalence of infection is
much higher in certain breeds" most notably" %tandardbreds and armbloods. &his may be due
to the high frequency of the carrier state in stallions of these breeds.
Clinical Signs
'ost horses e(#osed to the virus !ill develo# no signs of the disease. )f illness does occur" EVA
can be difficult to diagnose because it is clinically similar to several other equine diseases" such
as Equine *hino#neumonitis" influen+a" Equine )nfectious Anemia (E)A) and Pur#ura
,emorrhagica. &he clinical signs vary in range and severity and can last from - to ./ days.
&hey include0
1ever
%!elling" most notably the legs" scrotum" sheath" mammary glands and above or around
the eyes
2oss of a##etite (anore(ia)
3e#ression
4on5unctivitis - inflammation and discharge
6asal discharge
%$in rash (frequently locali+ed on the head and nec$" but can be generali+ed)
Abortion in #regnant mares
Pneumonia and death in young foals
Possible short-term subfertility in stallions that e(#erienced significant fever and scrotal
edema
Diagnosis
&he only definite means of diagnosing EVA is by laboratory testing. &he virus can be detected in
various tissues and fluids such as nasal or con5unctival secretions" semen" blood" #lacenta" fetal
fluids and tissues. 'ore commonly" the blood is screened for the #resence of antibodies to the
virus.
4ollection of sam#les for testing should be instigated as soon as #ossible after the horse is
noticed ill to increase the li$elihood of confirming a diagnosis. 7our veterinarian !ill $no! !hich
laboratories are #roficient in testing for EAV infection.
Transmission
EAV infection can be transmitted among horses in four different !ays0
.. *es#iratory0 An acutely-infected horse s#reads the virus to other in contact horses via
res#iratory secretions (e(#osure commonly occurs at racetrac$s" sho!s" sales and other
events).
-. Venereal0 Virus shed in the semen of an infected stallion is transmitted to mares !hen
they are bred.
8. )ndirect contamination0 &he virus is transferred indirectly through the use of contaminated
tac$ or equi#ment shared among horses or on hands or clothing of #ersonnel handling
animals.
/. )n utero0 Virus #asses across the #lacenta from an infected mare to her unborn foal.
Carrier State
Geldings" mares and se(ually immature colts do not become #ersistently infected !ith EAV.
%tallions infected !ith the virus may become #ermanent or long-term carriers. Even if a stallion
never develo#s signs of disease" the virus may remain in his re#roductive tract indefinitely. &he
virus is #assed to the mares he is bred to 9 !hether live-covered or artificially inseminated. A
carrier stallion:s fertility does not a##ear to be adversely affected by #ersistence of the virus in the
re#roductive tract. 2i$e!ise" a stallion may have the virus in his serum and 6;& in his
re#roductive tract. &he best !ay to confirm your stallion:s status is by chec$ing his blood status. )f
he is #ositive" you can try to isolate the virus in his semen to see if he is a ris$ for transmitting the
virus venereally. )t is generally acce#ted that if a stallion has the virus in his blood but 6;& in his
semen" he may be able to be bred safely. 'ares that are being bred to a carrier stallion can also
be vaccinated to #rotect them.
4urrently" there is no fully #roven thera#eutic means of eliminating the virus from a carrier
stallion:s re#roductive tract. A small #ercentage of long-term carriers do" ho!ever" s#ontaneously
clear the infection from their systems.
Prevention & Control
%ound management #ractices can hel# #revent and control EVA0
.. )solate all ne! arrivals (and returning horses) to your farm or ranch for 8-/ !ee$s.
-. )f #ossible" segregate #regnant mares from other horses.
8. <lood test all breeding stallions for EAV antibodies.
/. 4hec$ semen of any unvaccinated" antibody #ositive stallions to identify carriers before
breeding.
=. Vaccinate all breeding stallions annually.
>. Physically isolate any EAV carrier stallions.
?. *estrict breeding EAV carrier stallions to vaccinated mares or those !hose blood is
#ositive for naturally-acquired antibodies to the virus.
@. Vaccinate mares against EVA at least 8 !ee$s #rior to breeding to a $no!n carrier
stallion.
A. )solate mares vaccinated for the first time against EVA for 8 !ee$s follo!ing breeding to
an EAV carrier stallion (there is no need to revaccinate mares that need to be rebred).
.B. )n breeds or areas !ith high rates of EAV infection" it is recommended that all intact
males bet!een >-.- months of age be vaccinated as advised by your veterinarian.
If An ut!rea" ccurs
)n the event of an EVA outbrea$" #rom#t action can #revent the disease from s#reading and
minimi+e its immediate and long-term economic im#act. 1ollo! these guidelines0
.. )solate affected horses as soon as #ossible.
-. 6otify your veterinarian immediately.
8. )n consultation !ith your veterinarian" have the diagnosis of EVA confirmed by a qualified
laboratory.
/. )f a mare has aborted" #lace the fetus and #lacenta in a lea$-#roof bag" refrigerate it and
send to the nearest a##ro#riate laboratory for testing.
=. 3isinfect the stall" equi#ment and facilities using a #henolic disinfectant as advised by
your veterinarian. After treatment !ith disinfectant" dis#ose of bedding by com#osting in
an area a!ay from horses.
>. ash do!n the mare:s hindquarters and tail !ith an antise#tic solution as advised by
your veterinarian and $ee# her se#arated from other horses for at least 8 !ee$s.
?. *estrict the movement of all horses to and from the farm or ranch as advised by your
veterinarian.
@. %us#end breeding o#erations until the outbrea$ is over. 6otify mare o!ners.
A. Vaccinate all at-ris$ horses as advised by your veterinarian.
.B. 6otify your state veterinarian or a##ro#riate state regulatory agency of the outbrea$.
Immuni#ation
,orses naturally infected !ith EAV develo# a strong immunity against EVA" !hich can last for at
least several years. ,orses can also acquire immunity by being vaccinated against the disease.
4onsult your veterinarian for information about an a##ro#riate vaccination #rogram to meet your
individual needs. Vaccination should #rotect a horse against the disease for at least a year.
A blood test can confirm !hether a horse has antibodies to the virus and the level of its immunity
to this infection. &his test cannot differentiate bet!een a horse that is #ositive for antibodies to
EAV as a result of vaccination or from natural e(#osure to the virus.
&he EVA vaccine should be administered to stallions not less than / !ee$s #rior to their use for
breeding. &here is no evidence that a vaccinated stallion !ill shed the virus in the semen or that
the modified live virus vaccine against the disease can set u# the carrier state.
A mare being vaccinated for the first time and bred to a carrier stallion should not be #laced in
contact !ith antibody negative horses for at least 8 !ee$s after her breeding date. hile the
vaccine !ill #rotect her from illness" she is almost certain to e(#erience a limited re-infection cycle
from the virus in the semen. 3uring this time" she could serve as a source of infection for any
un#rotected horses through shedding virus via the res#iratory route. &his can have significant
adverse consequences for #regnant mares and could result in an outbrea$ of abortion.
&he modified live virus vaccine is not a##roved for use in #regnant mares nor in foals less than >
!ee$s of age unless faced !ith a high ris$ of natural infection !ith EAV and only then if
recommended by your veterinarian.
Positive Pers$ective n EVA
ith the e(ce#tion of very young foals" EVA is rarely fatal. 'ost horses that contract the disease
ma$e full" uneventful recoveries. &reatment" if im#lemented" is directed at reducing the severity of
clinical signs during the course of illness.
)f fever or s!elling are severe" your veterinarian !ill li$ely #rescribe non-steroidal and anti-
inflammatory drugs to ma$e the horse more comfortable. ,orses should be able to return to !or$
!ithin ./--@ days.
ith the hel# of your veterinarian" EVA should never be a #roblem. )t is a very manageable
infection. <y im#lementing a sound vaccination andCor health care #rogram" the ris$ of EVA can
be minimi+ed. 1or more information regarding EVA" contact your local veterinarian.
1or more information" contact your veterinarian.
American Association of Equine Practitioners
/B?= )ron or$s Par$!ay" 2e(ington" D7 /B=..
(@=A) -88-B./?
#osted by *ose
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AAEP %uidelines for !reeding a mare to an equine
arteritis virus&s'edding stallion
At least 8B days #rior to breeding" the mare should be tested for serum neutrali+ing antibodies to
equine arteritis virus. A blood sam#le should be submitted to a veterinary medical diagnostic
laboratory a##roved by the U%3A to conduct this serological test. <ased on that result the
follo!ing #rocedures are recommended.
A6&)<;37 6EGA&)VE (titer of less than .0/ - 6on-#regnant mares)
)f the mare is found to be serologically negative" she should be vaccinated as soon as #ossible
!ith the licensed modified live virus vaccine against EVAE. After vaccination" the mare should be
isolated for -. days to allo! her time to develo# adequate #rotective immunity against
subsequent e(#osure to the virus and to #revent the minimal ris$ of s#read of the vaccine virus to
any susce#tible horses !ith !hich she might come into contact. &!enty-one days follo!ing
vaccination" the mare may be bred to a shedding stallion. %he should not be bred to a shedding
stallion during that #eriod.
After being bred for the first time to a shedding stallion" the mare should be isolated for -. days
from any horses on the #remises serologically negative for antibodies to the virus. %ubsequent
breedings do not require an additional #eriod of isolation. ;ccasionally a mare may be vaccinated
against EVA" but for some reason" is not bred that year to a shedding stallion. )f this should
ha##en" the mare should be vaccinated again before being bred to a shedding stallion. 6o
isolation is necessary follo!ing re-vaccination.
A6&)<;37 6EGA&)VE (titer of less than .0/) - Pregnant mares
&he current licensed modified live virus vaccine against equine viral arteritisE is not a##roved for
use in #regnant mares. hile a mare that is in good health may be vaccinated follo!ing
#arturition" a mare that has had a com#licated foaling" or is other!ise not in good health" should
not be vaccinated until she has regained her health. &he foal should also be in good health and
be at least t!o !ee$s old before its dam is vaccinated.
&here is minimal ris$ that suc$ling foals out of serologically negative mares may be e(#osed to
the vaccine virus !hen the mare is vaccinated against EVA.
*E-VA44)6A&);6
'ares that !ill be bred to shedding stallions should receive an annual booster vaccination against
EVA -. days #rior to being used for breeding #ur#oses. 6o isolation is necessary follo!ing re-
vaccination.
A6&)<;37 P;%)&)VE (titer of .0/ or greater) - A22 'A*E%
'ares that test serologically #ositive for antibodies to equine arteritis virus can be bred to a
shedding stallion !ithout the need for #rior vaccination against EVA. Antibody #ositive mares that
are bred to a shedding stallion by natural cover should be $e#t se#arate from other susce#tible
horses for -/ hours to avoid #ossible mechanical transmission of virus from voided semen. Any
vehicle used to trans#ort such mares immediately follo!ing breeding to a shedding stallion should
be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected #rior to trans#ort of susce#tible horses.
%uidelines for !reeding stallions
Prior to the breeding season (at least >B days is recommended)" the stallion should be blood
tested for neutrali+ing antibodies to equine arteritis virus.
A6&)<;37 6EGA&)VE (titer of less than .0/)
)f serologically negative" the stallion should be vaccinated !ith a licensed modified live vaccine
against EVAE and isolated for 8B days after vaccination. An annual booster vaccination against
EVA should be given on a regular basis every .- months but no sooner than 8B days #rior to
being used for breeding.
A6&)<;37 P;%)&)VE (titer of .0/ or greater)
)f the stallion is found serologically #ositive for serum neutrali+ing antibodies to equine arteritis
virus" !ithout !ritten evidence certifying his negative serological status #rior to vaccination" he
needs to be tested for #resence of the carrier (shedding) state. &his can be determined by either
one of the follo!ing methods0
E Attem#ted isolation of equine arteritis virus from t!o se#arate e5aculates collected and
submitted by an accredited veterinarian to a laboratory a##roved by the U%3A to conduct this
testF or
E &est breeding the stallion to t!o mares serologically negative for antibodies to equine arteritis
virus at least t!ice on each of t!o consecutive days (four covers) and the mares chec$ed for the
develo#ment of serum antibodies to the virus -@ days after breeding.
A6&)<;37 P;%)&)VE - 6;6 %,E33)6G %&A22);6%
%erologically #ositive stallions !ith !ritten certification of negative antibody status #rior to
vaccination against EVA by a U%3A a##roved laboratory need not be tested for virus shedding.
%tallions serologically #ositive for antibodies to equine arteritis virus from natural e(#osure that
have #reviously been tested and found to be non-shedders (non-carriers) of the virus should have
!ritten confirmation of their non-shedder status and receive an annual booster vaccination
against EVA.
A6&)<;37 P;%)&)VE - %,E33)6G G%&A22);6%
%hedding stallions can be used for commercial breeding #rovided they are managed in
accordance !ith the above guidelines. %tallion o!ners and stallion managers should disclose the
shedding status of their stallions to mare o!ners" breed associations and" !here required" to
state authorities. %hedding stallions can be safely bred to adequately immuni+ed mares or to
mares that have tested serologically #ositive for neutrali+ing antibodies to equine arteritis virus.
;ccasionally" shedding stallions !ill s#ontaneously sto# shedding equine arteritis virus. ;!ners
may !ish to retest the semen of shedding stallions from time to time to determine if the stallion is
still shedding virus.
&EA%E* %&A22);6%
&easer stallions should be vaccinated against EVA on an annual basis in accordance !ith this
#rotocol.
)3E6&)1)4A&);6 ;1 4A**)E* (%,E33)6G) %&A22);6%
)t is recommended that breed associations #ublicly disclose the names of those stallions
registered !ith their breed association that are confirmed shedders of equine arteritis virus.
P*EVE6&);6 ;1 &,E 4A**)E* %&A&E
<reeding stallions that are found serologically negative for antibodies to equine arteritis virus
should be vaccinated against EVA to #revent develo#ment of the carrier state.
)n order to #revent the carrier (shedding) state" es#ecially in those breeds in !hich the infection is
!idely #revalent" as !ell as to #revent equine arteritis virus infection" colts under -?B days of age
that are serologically negative for antibodies to equine arteritis virus should be vaccinated against
EVA. ritten certification of their negative serological status to equine arteritis virus should be
obtained before vaccination.
U%E ;1 ';3)1)E3 2)VE VA44)6E AGA)6%& EVA
)t is essential to have !ritten official certification of a horse:s negative serological status to equine
arteritis virus #rior to initial vaccination against this disease. %tallions and mares that !ill be bred
to shedding stallions should receive an annual booster vaccination against equine arteritis virus
#rior to being used for breeding #ur#oses.
American Association of Equine Practitioners
()*+ Iron ,or"s Pi"e
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