Finland is currently facing a significant outbreak of the EHV-1 herpes virus in horses, as reported by Yle this week. The Tuomarinkartano Competition Stable in Helsinki has confirmed multiple cases, with at least one horse having succumbed to the illness. The stable’s managing director, Johanna Höglund, has refrained from disclosing the exact number of seriously ill or deceased horses to protect the privacy of individual owners. In response to the outbreak, the stable has implemented a voluntary quarantine to contain the virus's spread.

According to Kati Niinistö, a veterinarian from the University Veterinary Hospital, the EHV-1 virus is one of the most dangerous respiratory viruses because it can cause not only fever but also neurological symptoms, which could lead to fatalities in affected horses. This virus poses a significant threat to equine health, and the lack of extensive testing in Finland limits the available data on current infections. Niinistö noted that the hospital has been receiving calls from all over Finland regarding febrile horses, predominantly from Southern Finland, indicating that the outbreak might be more widespread than initially perceived.

Höglund also mentioned to Helsingin Sanomat that it is unusual for the virus to cause such severe effects in horses. The current situation raises concerns among horse owners and the equestrian community, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring and increased testing to manage and mitigate the outbreak effectively.