LOXAHATCHEE, FL (WFLX) - Across 10 states, 12 horses are now dead and 72 others are suffering from an outbreak of equine herpes. There are reports that the sickness is spreading among competition horses.
"When your horse comes down, he's not riding alone. He's riding down with about six other horses," said Jennifer Swanson the co-founder of Pure Thoughts Horse Rescue, in Loxahatchee.
Symptoms of the virus include fevers of 102 degrees or higher, nasal discharge, weakness, and an inability to stand.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, equine herpes virus, 'myeloencephalopathy', can spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing and hands.
People like Swanson are being vigilant when it comes to the health of their horses. "It transfers very easily. You can lose a horse before you realize there's even a problem," said Swanson.
Equine herpes is highly contagious, and once a horse has it, there is no cure. "A few years ago, some great, great horses were lost because of an outbreak," said Swanson.
The Florida Department of Agriculture is trying to stop the disease from spreading here. "Everybody has to have a health certificate to get into the state, that they check right at the border. They've communicated very well with us. Told us what horses we should and shouldn't get. What states to be concerned about," said Brad Gaver, Swanson's partner in her horse-rescue endeavor.
The folks at "Pure Thoughts" say it still pays off to be careful when it comes to transporting horses. "If you have a show horse that's shipping around, going from show to show, state to state, possibly traveling with other horses. If you're expecting a horse in. I would want to know who it's traveling with? What farms is it coming from?" said Swanson.
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