Nevada lifting horse quarantines ordered for herpes virus

Nevada agriculture officials say they will lift by the end of the week all quarantines ordered after three horses tested positive for an equine herpes virus.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture officials say they lifted the first quarantine at a Clark County facility Monday where a horse was treated after it may have contracted EHV-1 at the state high school rodeo in Pahrump.

They said Tuesday no other cases have been confirmed so they intend to end two other quarantines later this week.

State Veterinarian Dr. JJ Goicoechea says he appreciates all the efforts horse owners in Nevada and neighboring states took to prevent the spread of the disease, which can cause respiratory disease in young horses, abortions in pregnant mares and neurologic disease in older horses.

It can spread through contact with exposed animals, people, equipment and vehicles.