A horse in Bethany, Connecticut, has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) and tests on additional horses are pending, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported Dec. 11.

“Clinical signs were seen on Dec. 5 in a private facility,” the EDCC statement said. “One horse was confirmed positive at Cornell University (in Ithaca, New York) on Dec. 10. Currently a 4-year old Quarter Horse mare was confirmed positive, and tests on a 20-year old, a 14-year old, and a 26- year old Quarter Horse geldings are pending. Signs include 102-104°F fevers, mild inappetence, and hindlimb ataxia with dribbling urine. All horses, which were vaccinated, are alive and receiving treatment.

“Potentially 30-35 horses have been exposed and currently 20 horses are in quarantine established by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture,” the EDCC said.

Herpesvirus is highly contagious among horses and can cause a variety of ailments in equids, including rhinopneumonitis (a respiratory disease usually found in young horses), abortion in broodmares, and myeloencephalopathy (the neurologic form). In many horses, fever is the only sign of EHV-1 infection, which can go undetected