The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is advising horse owners in Jackson and adjoining counties that they should use caution when moving their horses following what appears to be an outbreak of equine influenza virus (EIV).

“This is not an emergency situation—horses may get sick, but we expect them to make full recoveries within two or three weeks,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Walt Helmick. “However, we are seeing multiple reports of symptomatic horses and EIV and we wanted to make the public aware.”

Acting State Veterinarian Vanessa Harper, DVM, said she has been told that testing has confirmed one horse with EIV.

“Equine influenza is a very contagious disease, so similar symptoms in other horses point to the same illness,” said Harper