The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today announced a quarantine of two barns at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Bucks County, after a horse stabled at the track tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 on Saturday, Feb. 15.

Barns 19 and 32, housing 74 horses, were quarantined Saturday as a precautionary measure. No other horses have shown signs of illness, but were exposed to the positive horse during the past several weeks.

Clinical signs of the disease can range from respiratory to neurological impairment. In most situations, the disease is only mildly contagious.

There is no threat to human health from Equine Herpesvirus.

The barns and horses are quarantined for at least 21 days before the quarantine can be lifted.

Movement of horses is carefully restricted to prevent close contact with the rest of the horses at the track. Strict sanitary and biosecurity standards are enforced.

A quarantine order at the track was lifted in January following negative test results from horses that were diagnosed with Equine Herpesvirus in November.

Horse owners with concerns may call the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services at 717-772-2852.

(Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture)