by Fran Jurga | 6 April 2010 | The Jurga Report at Equisearch.com

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources has alerted horse owners, breeders, and veterinarians in this state that four horses here are known to have been exposed to the EHV?1, a contagious virus, in New Jersey. The horses were subsequently transported to Massachusetts.

One of the horses has since tested positive for the virus and is exhibiting clinical signs associated with the disease.

Agricultural officials are urging horse owners to take precautions to curb possible spreading of the virus among the state’s horse population. EHV?1 is a contagious disease of horses, which can cause respiratory illness, spontaneous abortion, neurological disease, and death.

Some protection is offered by vaccination against EHV. State authorities would like to make it clear that this virus does not pose a risk to humans.

Farms in New Jersey and Maine have been quarantined to help prevent the spread of the disease. The affected horses in Massachusetts and Maine had contact with the New Jersey farms.

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