Equestrian community alerted after outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) detected in France

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has issued a statement to the equestrian community following a neurological outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in France. The Fédération Equestre Internationale Veterinary Department has reported an epidemic of EHV-1 in France and has issued a series of prevention recommendations. The outbreak is linked to a national event that took place in Le Mans from 1 to 3 November 2024 and which, as of 20 November, had generated a few cases and deaths in three different French departments. Another FEI event also took place in Le Mans the following week (8-11 November 2024). In this case, the FEI horses were housed in different stables from the competing horses and there was no direct contact between the national horses and the FEI horses. “This disease is easily transmissible,” warns the Federation. Transmission occurs through the air, up to five metres away, by coughing. But transmission can also occur through direct contact, through shared ...