The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has quarantined a horse farm in Colts Neck, Monmouth County, after six horses contracted the neurologic form of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1).

The disease was discovered by a private veterinarian treating a sick horse, which was later euthanized by the veterinarian on April 13 after it failed to respond to treatment. The other five horses are recovering from their illnesses.

The department is performing animal tracing activities at the farm to determine the extent of the outbreak. In addition, the Department is performing disease control and testing activities with the farm in order to limit the spread of the virus.

"The Department has acted swiftly to quarantine the farm and begin preventive measures to stop the virus from spreading," said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher. "Quarantine and trace back are essential in Equine Herpes cases, because the disease can spread exponentially, causing many horses to become sick or die