A New Jersey horse farm has been quarantined after a veterinarian discovered six horses there had contracted a form of the equine herpes virus.
The disease -- a neurological form of Equine Herpes Virus, Type One (EHV-1) -- was discovered by a private veterinarian who was treating a sick horse showing neurological and respiratory symptoms of the virus, according to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. The horse was euthanized on April 13, after it failed to respond to treatment.
The other five horses are recovering from their illnesses.
The department said it was tracing animal activities at the in Monmouth County farm to determine the extent of the outbreak, and was working with the farm to limit any possible spread of the virus.
There are about 120 horses on the farm.
EHV-1 spreads quickly from horse to horse, is often fatal and can cause a wide range symptoms, from complete lack of clinical signs to respiratory problems, especially in young horses, and spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares, says the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.
The virus is not harmful to humans.
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Authorities are not releasing the name of the farm.
Five Monmouth County farms and one Gloucester County farm were quarantined last year during an investigation into an EHV-1 outbreak, according to the department. Two horses were euthanized, and another died from the disease.
