In response to a confirmed case of equine herpesvirus type 1 infection, Cornell University has voluntarily quarantined its equine hospital. This highly contagious virus is widely present in the horse population. Although in most infected horses it stays dormant in the body, it can cause a variety of diseases, including abortion, neurological disease and severe infection in newborn foals.
Little information is provided by the Cornell news release, although it mentions that the horse was admitted on March 18. At this point it is not known if any other horses were infected.
The Equine Hospital is closed to all but emergency equine cases and cases that can be kept in isolation. Alpacas, llamas and donkeys are included in the quarantine since they are susceptible to the virus.