Quarantine, Hold Orders For Horse Virus Lifted

DENVER (AP) - All the hold and quarantine orders issued to prevent the spread of a potentially fatal horse virus have been lifted in Colorado.

State agriculture officials say that equine herpes virus has been contained in the state. No new cases have been confirmed since May 20.

Horses traveling into Colorado on and after Saturday will no longer need import permits. Horses will still need health certificates issued within 30 days of arrival and a negative Coggins test within the last 12 months.

Colorado had a total of nine confirmed cases of the potentially fatal horse virus. Two horses were euthanized.

The disease turned up in several Western states after horses at a show in Ogden, Utah, started getting sick.

State Veterinarian Keith Roehr says horse owners should still take steps to prevent disease.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)