(AP) - A horse in Bottineau County has tested positive for a disease caused by an equine virus, North Dakota animal health officials said Thursday.
The horse was confirmed positive for EHM, a disease caused by equine herpesvirus-1, or EHV-1. Since October, several outbreaks of EHM have been reported in states including Oklahoma, Virginia, Pennsylvania and California.
The virus can be spread through the air and on contaminated equipment, clothing and hands. Horse owners can reduce the risk of spreading the disease by avoiding shared food or water containers and preventing nose-to-nose contact among horses.
The virus can cause respiratory disease, abortion and neonatal death in horses. Out-of-state horses entering North Dakota for any length of time must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection
The North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division are reminding horse owners to protect their horses from the virus.
Although highly contagious among horses, EHV-1 poses no threat to human health