Organizers behind the Swallows Day Parade and other Fiesta de Las Golondrinas activities say they are closely watching the outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus-1 in San Juan Capistrano.

Ben Dixon, who chairs the volunteer committee that hosts the parade, scheduled for March 24 this year, said the event can feature as many as 550 horses.

But horse owners may not want to come to visit town if the quarantine of a local equestrian center is still in effect, Fiesta Association at a Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting Wednesday.

Officials with the state’s Department of Food and Agriculture say they can’t declare an outbreak officially ended until three weeks have passed without a new case reported. The 54th Swallows Day Parade is scheduled for March 23.

The last test which tested positive for the highly contagious and potentially deadly virus – for horses, not people – occurred on Jan. 24, according to the state. The state provides the latest updates on the outbreak here. 

The outbreak began Jan. 11, and a total of 16 horses have tested positively. All are stabled at the Rancho Sierra Vista Equestrian Center. 

One of the parade’s major sponsors is Sycamore Trails Stables, which is located right next door to Rancho Sierra Vista. However, the outbreak has been contained to that one facility.