Horse virus in check in Nebraska

May 26, 2011

State officials say Nebraska is in the clear so far in an outbreak of a highly contagious virus that kills horses.

The Equine Herpes Virus-1 has infected dozens of horses in at least 11 states and Canada. The infected horses were among roughly 400 that attended the National Cutting Horse Association Western National Championship in Ogden, Utah, earlier this month.

Christin Kamm of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture told the Lincoln Journal Star on Wednesday that no confirmed cases have been reported in Nebraska. The disease poses no threat to humans, but is easily spread among horses.

Five horse farms in Nebraska will remain under quarantine until at least next week. The newspaper says the horse-show schedule remains intact at Lincoln's Lancaster Event Center.

Source: The Associated Press

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