New Equine Virus (NEV) Status & Viral load

Pathogen test 

•  This diagnostic profile determines the NEV status of a horse, as well the transmitting with a viral load test. 
• Includes a serological test for NEV - to determine NEV status and a molecular test to determine the NEV viral load. 

Sample

• 5 mL - blood - serum tube

and

• 5 mL - blood - K3 EDTA tube or 5 mL - Liquor (CSF).

Turnaround time

• 5 to 10 working days

Knowing the NEV status and viral load of your horse can help keep your horse - and others - safe

Key points

• The New Equine Virus (NEV) is a horse lentivirus distinctive from Swamp fever virus (EIAV) and similar to HIV-1. Like in HIV infected humans NEV attacks the immune system and natural defence against illness. 
• A horse infected with NEV will get weaker and weaker until it can no longer fight off life threatening infections and diseases.
• The rate at which NEV progresses varies depending on age, general health and genetic background. 

Learn more about NEV 

Explore results

• If your horse is NEV negative :

  Testing shows that your horse doesn’t have NEV. Continue taking steps to keep your horse safe from getting NEV

•  If your horse is NEV positive :

Testing shows that your horse does have NEV, but you can still take steps to protect your horse´s health.

NEV viral load test indicates the transmitting risk.

• An undetectable viral load means that the NEV level in the blood is too low to be detected by a viral load test. Horses with NEV who maintain and undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting NEV to NEV  negative horses. 

Learn more about NEV viral load

Take action - Find the suggested next steps based on results

If your horse is NEV positive

• Begin by talking to your veterinarian about therapies to boost the immune system of your horse as well about antiretroviral therapy (ART).
• Monitoring of NEV viral load levels is crucial to evaluate disease progression and risk.  Like with HIV, ART can’t cure NEV, but can help your horse to live a longer and healthier life. The main goal of ART is to reduce your horse’s viral load to an undetectable level.

Learn more about ART here.