A fourth horse exposed to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) has died, according to officials with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The horse was exposed to the virus while stabled at the Palm Beach Equine Sports Complex, where the first case occurred. The facility has been under quarantine. This horse had not shown any clinical signs until yesterday (Dec. 21).

“It happened really rapidly,” said Mark Fagan, a spokesman for the department. “On Wednesday morning, a fever was noticed, the fever continued through the day. By the afternoon neurological signs developed, it rapidly deteriorated, and a decision was made by the veterinarian and management to euthanize the horse.”

The horse was euthanatized before lab tests could confirm EHV-1, but Fagan said there’s little doubt about it.

“The veterinarian has taken a sample so we can confirm that this was definitely EHV-1, but really there’s no doubt about it–all the signs were there,” Fagan said.

Three other horses have died in Florida, along with one in California. According to the most recent update from the department, eight cases of EHV-1 have been confirmed in Florida. Seven of these cases are horses in the Wellington area, and one case is in Ocala. Nine cases have had neurologic signs.

According to the statement, there are no state or federal restrictions for horse movements into, within, or out of the state of Florida, although some premises and events have their own entry requirements. The department suggests anyone hauling horses contact their point of destination for specific information concerning any restrictions that premises/events might have imposed.

For more information on EHV-1, check out our free PDF library of EHV-related articles including images, or all our archived EHV-1 articles on TheHorse.com.