Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — A horse was euthanized Saturday after succumbing to equine herpes — a virus that is currently effecting six horses in the state.
The animal, which was located in Utah County, was found lying in its stall and attempts to make it rise "were fruitless," according to the Utah Department of Agriculture. The outbreak is affecting four horses in Utah County and one in both Kane and Weber Counties, respectively.
Those facilities with infected horses have been quarantined for the span of 28 days. The virus cannot be contracted by humans and the Utah Department of Agriculture is not yet encouraging the cancellation of horse-related events.
The virus has spread to animals in nine states and Canada in the height of horse-showing season. It is marked by a variety of symptoms, Utah State veterinarian Bruce King said.
"Their tails would get limp, (the horses) can dribble urine, they can have no control over their bladder," King said. "They might go down in what I call a dog-sitting position, they'd be sitting on their rear ends with their front legs up."
King said the virus can be airborne or transmitted through equipment.
"You could bridle your horse and go to another horse and touch him and (the animal) could get (the virus) that way," he said.
Horse owners are encouraged to monitor their animals closely.
Email:niyamba@ksl.com
