It'll Just Have to Be a Dog Show: Horses in Nine States Exposed to Herpes

Wonder Horse by Grundlepuck from the Seattlest Flickr pool.
This horse is likely not at risk for equine herpes.

Equine events across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado and five other states (as well as parts of Canada) are being cancelled and postponed, and boarding facilities and fairgrounds are being quarantined in an attempt to contain the spread of a deadly virus, Equine Herpes Virus-1. Yes, horse herpes.

A message [PDF] from the State Department of Agriculture had this to say about how the disease, which does not sicken humans, is spread:

This virus is easily spread by aerosol (airborne) transmission, horse-to-horse contact with nasal secretions on equipment, tack, feed and other surfaces. People can spread the virus by means of contaminated hands, clothing, shoes, and vehicles.

There's a torrid history between horses and humans in these parts. One Equus-esque encounter in Enumclaw (and one infamous Charles Mudede film about it), and all of Washington State is the butt of jokes about ponies and people and improper relations. Unfortunately, that tends to color this sort of story in an unfortunate light. This outbreak, however, is quite serious.

There have been over 30 confirmed cases of the disease so far, with hundreds more exposed. Many of the exposures occurred in Ogden, Utah, at a National Cutting Horse Association event that took place at the beginning of the month. A total of 34 Washington horses were present, prompting owners and caretakers those horses (and any that they've come in contact with) to quarantine their animals, and cancel any events that they may have been scheduled to take part in.

Any owners or caretakers who are concerned that their horses may have been exposed and pose a risk to others is urged to contact the Washington Department of Agriculture.