Equine viral arteritis: A respiratory and reproductive disease of significant economic importance to the equine industry

Abstract

Summary Equine arteritis virus is the causative agent of equine viral arteritis, a respiratory and reproductive disease that affects the members of the family Equidae . The virus was first isolated from the lung of an aborted fetus after an extensive outbreak of respiratory disease and abortion on a Standardbred breeding farm near Bucyrus, Ohio, in 1953. Since then, periodic outbreaks of equine viral arteritis have been reported in a number of countries around the world. This disease may result in significant economic loss to the equine industry due to the occurrence of abortion in pregnant mares, neonatal mortality, and establishment of the carrier state in stallions. This article provides an extensive review on equine arteritis virus, epidemiology, disease, pathogenesis, and prevention and control measures.