An outbreak of an equine herpes virus has prompted Virginia’s state veterinarian to shut down all horse shows and public horse sales.

At least five horses have tested positive and several northern Virginia counties have been quarantined.

Wednesday (Feb. 28), the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that all shows and auctions would be canceled until at least Monday because of the highly contagious and potentially fatal equine rhinopneumonitis virus.

While the start of the horse season is weeks away, some preseason shows were affected by the order