SPRING VALLEY, Calif. -- A fatal form of the equine herpes virus has entered California, killing 10 horses and raising concern across the state.
The 10 horses died in Northern California and were connected to a show in Ogden, Utah where the disease began to spread.
State officials said Wednesday there has been no link to the San Diego area, but local horse owners and trainers are worried.
"It's nerve-wracking," said Diane Durant of Pepperock Farm in Spring Valley. "We don't want anything to happen to these guys. These are very much loved animals."
The strain of herpes can be spread from horse to horse easily, through saliva and other fluids. It has no vaccine.
Horse owners are taking steps to prevent any further contamination. Any signs of high temperature or illness are being treated with quarantine. Veterinarians are discouraging some horse owners from transporting their animals until the situation dies down.
Durant said if any horses at her farm are taken out, right now, she won't let them come back.
"Our concern is protecting our horses here and any of the ones that think they're going to come in," she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment