Owners and veterinarians should take every care to reduce the fever and make the horse as comfortable as possible. Due to the highly infectious nature of this disease, and because the disease is spread by flies, most horses are put down. However, if you are intent on saving your infected horse, it should be quarantined in a screened area preventing access to mosquitoes and flies. EMV causes acute respiratory problems in both horses and humans. The virus is related to measles and canine distemper.
Infected horses show a loss of appetite, labored breathing and a frothy nasal discharge.
EMV is so debilitating that death is possible within two days of infection. A large outbreak of EMV was reported in Brisbane, Australia in 1994. Along with several horses, three humans also died. Currently there is no known cure. Although EPM, swamp fever, and EMV are considered serious diseases, everyday aches and pains also afflict horses.