On Monday, the Arizona Department of Agriculture confirmed a horse tested positive for neurological Equine Herpes Virus days after it began to show symptoms of the virus.
In Dona Ana County, New Mexico there have been 31 horses diagnosed with the virus, said Laura Oxley, chief of legislative, policy and community affairs for the Arizona agriculture department. Three of those horses came to Turf Paradise.
The horses left the track before the quarantine restrictions were in place, she said, but have since been contacted and isolated.
The virus is "highly contagious" and "easily spread" among horses, but is not a threat to humans, said Oxley in a media release. Symptoms include runny nose, fever, wobbly gait, hind-end weakness, dribbling of urine and diminished tail tone.
If your horse has any of these symptoms, contact a veterinarian. Cases must be reported to the state veterinarian.
Despite the quarantine, Turf Paradise told the department the track is open and that people can still attend races there.
