The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDA) has confirmed that two horses in that state have tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).

“On Friday May 8, the Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare was notified that two horses located in a stable in northeast Illinois tested positive for EHV-1 via the nasal swab PCR test,” the IDA said in a statement on its website. “Additional horses at the same stable had exhibited fevers throughout the week of May 4. Three horses have exhibited neurologic signs of disease and two of those horses have been euthanized.

“All horses on the premises have been restricted to the stable and are being monitored daily for signs of disease,” the statement continued. “Stable personnel have been instructed to eliminate direct contact between horses as much as possible and to segregate sick horses from healthy horses as well as limit personnel entering the barn. The stable manager has implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection measures to help decrease the possibility of exposure. A source of the initial exposure has not been identified.”

The statement also indicated that several horses from the affected stable attended events on or about April 25 and May 2. “These venues have been contacted and are implementing steps to reduce the chances of additional exposures,” the statement said