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State: No new cases of horse virus reported

State officials say they have not received any new reports of the potentially deadly equine herpes virus that sickened eight horses last week at Bartlett's Sunset Hill Farm, but suburban horse owners are not taking any chances.

Veterinarian Chris Downs of Wauconda's Merritt & Associates Equine Hospital said Monday he's given booster shots to between 200 and 300 horses since the outbreak became public. He expects to give out just as many this week.

"It's a relatively common virus in the horse population in general," Downs said. "From a control standpoint, you try to manage and stay on top of it, but it can pop up anywhere."

The lack of new cases reported does not necessarily indicate the outbreak of the virus EHV-1 is contained, since veterinarians are not required to report cases to the state, Illinois Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Rebecca Clark said Monday. Veterinarians working with Sunset Hill have been communicating closely with the state agency, she said.

"The local vet has been talking to us because they can use us for advice and guidance," Clark said.

A horse at Sunset Hill tested positive for the virus Thursday after a nasal swab and blood work. On Friday, state authorities confirmed that the virus affected eight horses at Sunset Hill, two of which were subsequently euthanized.

Other horse farms in the area were notified, and many implemented voluntary quarantines to help isolate the virus. EHV-1, which poses no risk to humans or other animals, can spread through the air, contaminating equipment, clothing and hands, which can then spread it to other horses.

State officials placed Sunset Hill under a quarantine that will remain in place until all its horse are fever-free for 21 days.

Sunset Hill did not respond to calls for comment Monday.

Downs said the initial vaccination for EHV-1 is similar to a flu shot. While it can't completely protect a horse from the virus, the vaccination mitigates some of the its symptoms and increases a horse's immunity. A booster shot helps protect horses further during outbreaks.

Most horses have already been exposed to the virus by the time they are 2 years old, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. The virus can remain latent for years, but a horse can shed the virus and cause an isolated outbreak, like the one in Bartlett.

An infection can leave a horse's nervous system unable to function. When a horse is euthanized because of the virus, it's usually because it can no longer stand.

"It's important for people to understand this is relatively easy to spread," Downs said. "It unfortunately can just happen."

Suburban farms guard against virus that's killed horses in Bartlett

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