Illinois State Veterinarian Mark J. Ernst, DVM, confirmed March 6 that equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) has been diagnosed at a boarding facility in the northeastern part of the state.

"The (Illinois Department of Agriculture) Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare has received laboratory confirmation of EHV-1 infection in a private boarding stable in Lake County in Illinois," Ernst said in an email. "Several horses in the stable are currently exhibiting neurologic signs consistent with those exhibited in EHV-1 infected horses.

"The horses stabled in the facility have been placed under quarantine by the Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare," he relayed. "This quarantine will remain in place until such time as it is determined that exposure to these horses no longer poses a risk to other horses."

Ernst said that at the present time, "no link has been established between these affected horses and any organized equine event