BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The Maryland Department of Agriculture is testing eight horse stables from around the state for a strain of equine herpes virus that attacks a horse’s brain, sometimes resulting in death.

The department was notified of the problem by the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Va., which found the strain in a horse from St. Mary’s County that was being treated for colic, said Sue duPont, a spokeswoman for the department.

The eight stables are being tested because the infected horse could have been in recent contact with horses from those stables. However, none tested so far appears to have the virus.

“We have come to the conclusion that this is a minimal-risk situation to Maryland horse owners,” said duPont, who would not release the names of the facilities because confidentiality laws protect the stables unless identifying information is necessary to prevent the virus from being spread.

The neurological strain of equine herpes can be spread by contact between horses or through objects that have come in contact with an infected horse, said Guy Hohenhaus, veterinarian for the department. Horses that are infected “have trouble standing, trouble balancing,” he said. “They have problems walking normally.”

Early last year, an outbreak of the virus caused an 18-day quarantine of Pimlico Race Course. Despite the measure, the virus spread throughout the state.

“It spreads like wildfire, and it’s devastating.” said Sally Sears, owner of Cedar Hill Riding and Boarding Stable in Harwood. “You take every precaution you can and hope other people are taking them, too.”

lgreenback@baltimoreexaminer.com