A Monterey County, Calif., equine facility has been released from quarantine imposed after two horses residing there tested positive for a non-neurologic strain of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), according to an April 4 statement from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). A San Diego Country property, quarantined in connection with the same non-neurologic EHV-1 outbreak, was released from quarantine last week, the statement noted.

Three geldings–two on one premises in Monterey County and one in San Diego County–tested positive for the non-neurologic strain of EHV-1 in mid- to late March after attending the final week of the HITS Thermal Horse Show March 5-11, 2012, in Thermal, Calif. The horses displayed clinical signs including hind limb ataxia (incoordination) and mild neurologic signs, and were confirmed positive in mid- to late March, according to previous CDFA statements.

On March 30 a mare in Los Angeles County tested positive for non-neurologic EHV-1.

"Epidemiologic investigation indicates this horse may be a secondary exposure to horses from this facility that attended the HITS Thermal Horse Show," the CDFA relayed. "The CDFA continues to monitor the situation