It isn’t just our imagination–we have been hearing about more neurologic equine herpesvirus outbreaks in the past several years than we were aware of previously. The current outbreaks in Kentucky and Maryland bring the disease back to the forefront, and there are many questions that horse owners, trainers, and even veterinarians have about the illness in its current state.

The University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center has the only Office International des Epizooties (OIE, or World Organization for Animal Health) reference laboratory for equine herpesvirus in the Western hemisphere. Thus, samples from most of the outbreaks are sent here so George Allen, PhD, professor in veterinary science at Gluck and head of that laboratory, can type these viruses and know which strains are circulating. Yesterday (Jan. 10) The Horse interviewed Allen, David Powell, BVSc, FRCVS, professor in veterinary science, and Peter Timoney, FRCVS, PhD head of the Gluck Center, on the basics of neurologic EHV-1, characteristics of the current outbreaks, and what we’ve learned about preventing the illness and controlling its spread