Two horses in San Joaquin County have been diagnosed with highly contagious equine herpes, a potentially fatal virus for which there is no vaccine. The horses were apparently exposed to the virus sometime between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10 during a visit to Tuolumne County, where seven horses have been stricken with the virus.The California Department of Food and Agriculture said both horses have been isolated and the property — the location of which was not revealed — has been quarantined.Equine herpes cannot be transmitted to humans. It can be spread through the air when horses sneeze, and it can be transmitted if they touch or share feed, brushes or bits.The state said there has been an increase in equine herpes in recent years, including several outbreaks at large horse events and facilities.
