Equine herpes virus keeps crowds away from horse riding show

An outbreak of a potentially deadly equine herpes virus that has affected 18 horses in California has kept ticket sales for the Memorial Day Classic, a weeklong riding show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, at about half of what they should be, according to a spokeswoman for the event.

All 18 horses affected by the equine herpes virus-1, a highly contagious airborne virus, were placed under quarantine, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. No new cases have been reported since May 23. Humans are not at risk of contracting the virus, for which there is no vaccine.

But misinformation about the virus and its outbreak has kept many visitors away from the show and competition, which doubles as a fundraiser for the Toluca Lake-based nonprofit racehorse rescue After the Finish Line, said Marnye Langer, a spokeswoman for the event.

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Photo: Horses have fallen ill with a strain of equine herpes virus, or EHV-1, that can cause respiratory and neurological damage. Credit: Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times