Burlington county horse euthanized after testing positive for equine herpesvirus

TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has quarantined a Burlington County property after an 18-year-old gelding tested positive for equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the first confirmed case in the state this year. Officials said the horse developed acute neurological symptoms on January 7 and was humanely euthanized shortly afterward.

The two remaining horses on the premises have been quarantined and are being closely monitored for signs of illness. According to the NJDA, no recent movements of horses have occurred from the property, and the risk of further spread is considered very low.

“The Department took swift action to prevent the disease from spreading to other horses by enacting a quarantine, which stops movement of horses in and out of the property and puts in place preventive measures to contain the virus,” said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn. He urged horse owners to contact veterinarians immediately if their animals show symptoms consistent with EHV-1.

Equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) is highly contagious among horses and can cause respiratory illness, abortions in pregnant mares, and the often-fatal neurologic form known as EHM. The virus poses no threat to humans or most domestic animals, though it can affect llamas and alpacas.

More information about clinical signs, testing, and prevention measures is available through the NJDA Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory at www.jerseyvetlab.nj.gov.

An 18-year-old Burlington County horse was euthanized after contracting equine herpesvirus, prompting New Jersey’s first equine quarantine of 2026.

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