The Disease
Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is caused by the equine arteritis virus (EAV). The virus occurs worldwide in Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred populations. EVA was reported in the UK in 2019 with two separate, unconnected subclinical outbreaks.
The first involved presumed respiratory (non-venereal) spread of infection. Both outbreaks involved non-Thoroughbred horses imported from other EU countries where EVA is endemic. One outbreak involved subsequent respiratory spread of
infection associated with attendance at equine competition events in the UK.
