What is the different between rhinopnuemonitis (ehv-1) as we know it and and the ehv-1 nuero strain?
The respiratory form of the EHV-1 virus has been in the US for many years. Mutation of the EHV-1 virus at specific locations results in the much more potent “neurogenic” strain. This neurogenic strain replicates much more rapidly within the body and the markedly increased viral load results in both more affects upon neurologic tissues AND greater shedding of the virus in the nasal secretions (infectivity). There are numerous references in previous literature regarding chronic or recurrent shedding of EHV-1 in affected horses subsequent to recovery. This does not appear to be the case with the neuro strain to date. Dr. John Madigan and other researchers across the country have begun to monitor horses recovered from the neurogenic strain and have not detected subsequent recurrence of shedding or disease. Indeed, recovered affected horses have returned to normal exercise and performance in uses ranging from racing to show.
