Equine Disease Detected in Alberta

The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian confirmed on November 8, 2025, a new case of Equine Herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in Alberta. It is the first reported case of Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) in the province this year. 

According to a notice issued on November 21, 2025, an 11 year old gelding with no travel history outside Alberta or Canada, developed acute neurological symptoms on November 8, 2025, including ataxia and an inability to urinate or defecate. The horse was admitted to an equine hospital and placed in isolation, where it is now recovering with only mild neurological signs remaining. The animal had been vaccinated annually for EHV-1 and EHV-4, highlighting that vaccination can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of clinical disease.

EHM is not federally reportable in Canada, but it is provincially notifiable in Alberta. Veterinarians must report confirmed cases to the OCPV; however, the province does not impose quarantines or movement restrictions. Instead, cases are monitored to track trends and provide updates to industry partners.

In recent years, Alberta has recorded a small number of cases: 4 in 2023, 1 in 2024, and this recent detection in 2025. The case has also been reported to the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System.

To read the full notice, click here.