Two additional Michigan horses have tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), according to an April 2 statement from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD).
On March 21, veterinarians euthanized an 8-year-old Quarter Horse gelding from Livingston County used for barrel racing after he tested positive for EHV-1.
"As of April 2, 2015, two additional Michigan horses have tested positive for EHV-1," the MDARD statement read. "Both horses developed fevers and are under veterinary care. One of these additional positive horses is from the same Livingston County stable in which the index horse resided.
"The second additional positive horse is at a separate stable in Saginaw County in which horses attended a March 7, 2015, event in Barry County also attended by the initial positive EHV horse," the statement read.
Four facilities—including the two farms with positive cases—are currently quarantined, and the exposed horses that reside there are being monitored for signs of illness.
"MDARD continues to trace all contacts of infected horses to ensure no further disease transmission has occurred," the statement read. "Horse owners are encouraged to vaccinate their horses and to contact their veterinarian if a horse has a fever greater than 101.5°F."