05/29/2026
MEMO: New Jersey Department of Agriculture
EHV-1 Positive Horse in Burlington County
A Burlington County premises was placed under quarantine after one horse tested positive for equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). The horse, an 18-year-old Oldenburg gelding, developed acute neurological signs of hindlimb ataxia and fever on May 19th, 2026. The horse was promptly hospitalized after the onset of signs and is undergoing continued medical treatment at the equine hospital.
There are eighteen (18) horses and ponies remaining at the farm that may have been exposed to the positive horse. Immediate biosecurity measures are in effect at the premises and will remain in place for a total of 14 days of quarantine. Additionally, the horses on the quarantined premises are being monitored for illness, with frequent temperature checks to confirm that the virus is not spreading systemically. No recent horse movement has occurred by this herd. There are no known connections between this case and previous cases in Burlington County.
EHV-1 spreads quickly from horse to horse, has high morbidity, and can cause a wide range of symptoms, from a complete lack of clinical signs to respiratory problems, especially in young horses, and spontaneous abortions in pregnant mares. Transmission of the virus is mostly via direct contact with infected materials; therefore, tack must not be shared between horses, and biosecurity measures must be utilized. The virus is endemic in the country, and although highly infectious, it does not persist in the environment and is neutralized by hand soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and sunlight.
Bio security tips:
*Monitor temperatures daily, sanitize thermometer in between horses
*Quarantine new and traveling horses for 30 days
*Sanitize in between handling different horses
*Do not share equipment, buckets, etc between different horses