Veterinarians have confirmed five additional cases of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in connection with the Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) circuit in Ocala, Fla., according to a Feb. 27 statement from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Animal Industry.

None of the new positive horses have exhibited neurological signs at this time, the statement said.

"While the additional positive horses were detected after leaving the showgrounds, they resided in Tent 3 and Tent 6 in proximity to Tent 7 which housed the index case," the statement noted. "With evidence of more widespread exposure, all of the horses at the HITS showgrounds have been placed under quarantine. The Division of Animal Industry is continuing their disease investigation and developing protocols for surveillance and quarantine release measures. An incident command team comprised of state and federal personnel is being mobilized to implement appropriate control measures."

One of the EHV-1 positive horses associated with HITS is currently located at Redfield Farm, in Ocala, and the remaining four are located at Miles Away Farm, in Loxahatchee, Fla, the FDACS statement said