State officials have cancelled all public horse sales and auctions throughout Virginia. The move is part of continuing efforts to stop the spread of the highly contagious equine herpesvirus. It remains in effect through Monday.

Last week, officials placed a quarantine on ten horse facilities in northern Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture stated five horses have tested positive for the virus. The virus poses no known health threat to humans, but it can be spread by people through clothing, shoes and equipment. The ban on sales was ordered by the state veterinarian