While less than a dozen horses were recently diagnosed with the equine herpes virus in Washington County, the state Department of Agriculture said horse owners in Butler County need not worry.

To prevent the spread of the contagious disease, all racing has been suspended at Washington County's Meadows Racetrack and Casino through Feb. 6.

To quell the virus, five barns containing 190 horses have been quarantined at The Meadows although fewer than 10 have been diagnosed with EHV.

Will Nichols, a department spokesman, said Wednesday that in horses, the equine herpesvirus is similar to a case of the flu.

While highly contagious, horses who test positive are cleared of the virus after about 28 days and do not carry the virus for a lifetime like humans do, Nichols said.

“With diligence in the animal health community, we can isolate and reduce flare ups,” he said.

Nichols said one Butler County horse was diagnosed in December with EHV, but recovered after treatment and is no longer quarantined.

“The risk of infection was eliminated,” Nichols said.

More information on the virus is available at the department's website, www.agriculture.pa.gov.