The New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) has quarantined two farms–one in Gladstone and one in Pompton Plains–after tests confirmed a horse from the Gladstone farm contracted the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). That horse is receiving treatment and recovering at a veterinary quarantine facility in Oldwick.

State Veterinarian Manoel Tamassia, DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACT, said the horse had attended a horse show in Newburgh, N.Y., the weekend of Jan. 12. On Jan. 18, a veterinarian informed the NJDA that they were treating a horse for an illness involving neurologic signs. The initial positive test result for EHV-1 was confirmed by the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory that day, and a trace of the horse’s movements was undertaken with the assistance of the New York State Veterinarian’s office. Pennsylvania and Connecticut authorities also are involved in the disease investigation.

Tracing activities revealed eleven additional horses from New Jersey also participating in the show were exposed to the positive horse. All have been located and none are currently showing signs of illness.

"The department has taken immediate preventive measures to stop the virus from spreading," said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. "It is essential that we use quarantines and trace back in equine herpes cases since the disease is easily transmitted, causing many horses to become sick or die

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