No New Cases of Equine Virus Reported

The horses within city of San Juan Capistrano have now gone a whole week without a new reported case of Equine Herpes Virus-1, a highly contagious disease that has a local equestrian center quarantined.

“An outbreak is considered over when we have three weeks without a new incident,” said Steve Lyle, a spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which has been monitoring the area’s horses since .

The most recent case was detected Jan. 24, Lyle said. That means local horses need to remain virus-free for two more weeks before the state can declare the outbreak ended.

A total of 16 horses have tested positive for the Neuropathogenic Equine Herpes Virus-1, according to a website set up to update the public about the outbreak. All of the cases have occurred at the .

The state is now reporting that the outbreak in San Juan is unrelated to any previous outbreaks. It is also unrelated to a . 

Only one of the 16 local, infected horses has displayed neurologic signs, according to the state agency. The rest have “displayed compatible, clinical signs, such as fever, nasal discharge and/or limb” swelling.

The first horse to test positively for the virus is recovering, according to the animal health division of the state Department of Food and Agriculture. That horse has since tested negative twice since the initial diagnosis.

One positive-testing horse was put down after becoming recumbent. However, . 

Rancho Sierra Vista remains quarantined, according to the state agency. Exposed horses are monitored and temperatures are taken twice daily.

“Owners of exposed horses which left the property prior to the quarantine have been contacted and ask to isolate, monitor for signs and take exposed horse temperature twice daily,” the state’s website states. 

Equine Herpes Virus-1 is a serious disease involving inflammation of small blood vessels in the spinal cord and/or brain. It can be airborne and transmitted by touch, close contact between horses or by sharing feed, brushes, bits and other equipment, according to a press release from the city.

Symptoms include fever, sneezing, staggering and partial paralysis. Horses with symptoms should be isolated and kept 40 feet or more from other horses. Owners should contact their veterinarian if they witness any of these symptoms, according to the city.

City officials sent out an alert two weeks ago, advising residents with horses at any local stable to take precautions, such as:

• Do not work with healthy horses after caring for a sick horse – people can easily transmit this virus on their hands and clothing
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water between contacts with horses to reduce risks of disease spread
• Wear disposable gloves and change them between horses or use hand sanitizers between contact with horses
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect boots and footwear between entry into barns and stalls to help minimize the spread of disease