Animal health officials in California and Virginia have confirmed that equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) has been identified in those states.

On May 21, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) reported that a 7-year-old barrel racing Quarter Horse gelding, originating from San Luis Obispo County, showing mild hind limb ataxia was confirmed positive for non-neuropathogenic EHV-1.

“This strain of virus is responsible for the more common rhinopneumonitis cases,” the CDFA said in a statement. “A small percentage of the non-neuropathogenic infected horses can display neurologic signs compatible with equine herpes myeloencephalopathy which is a reportable disease in California.”

The statement said the gelding is quarantined and recovering under veterinary care in Santa Barbara County