RIVERSIDE, CA—FEBRUARY 10, 2016—A 14-year-old polo mare in Riverside County California was euthanized on Sunday (Feb 7) after displaying acute onset neurologic signs of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1).

The necropsy results from the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory on February 9th, confirmed the non-neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1. All 70 exposed horses in the stabling area have been placed under quarantine with required twice-daily temperature monitoring.

At this time, no additional horses are displaying clinical signs. All exposed horses will be monitored for clinical signs and fever for 14 days post-exposure. Enhanced biosecurity measures have been implemented and immediate isolation protocols for any horse with a temperature over 102F, or compatible clinical signs, are in place.

CDFA has conducted an initial epidemiologic investigation to identify potentially exposed horses. There is no known link to the current EHV-1 outbreaks in other states. CDFA will continue to monitor the situation.