The University of Connecticut, working with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, has quarantined its 72-horse herd due to an outbreak of equine herpesvirus infection.

Equine herpesvirus (EHV), or equine rhinopneumonitis, is passed from horse to horse through respiratory discharges. People cannot contract EHV, although they can inadvertently help spread the disease from horse to horse by contact or contaminated equipment.

The quarantine has been imposed to stop the spread of EHV among UConn horses and from UConn horses to horses outside the herd. It will remain in place for approximately three weeks after the last case of EHV has occurred, and after nasal swabs indicate that affected horses are no longer contagious. Veterinarians hope the quarantine may be released by early March.

In the meantime, the stables are being sanitized regularly and coursework directly involving the horses, polo practice, and other activities will be temporarily suspended