Virginia state veterinarian halts horse auctions
Published March 1st, 2007
State officials have canceled all public horse sales and auctions throughout Virginia.
The move is part of continuing efforts to stop the spread of the highly contagious equine herpesvirus.
Last week, officials placed a quarantine on ten horse facilities in northern Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture says five horses have tested positive for the virus — which attacks the respiratory system and is spread from infected horses through nasal fluids and bodily secretions.
The virus poses NO known health threat to humans, but it can be spread by people through clothing, shoes and equipment.
