ROME — Tension began to subside over the weekend at Rome Farms horse stables with the lifting of a quarantine that had been put in place after several horses contracted a rare, deadly virus several months ago.

The virus, known as Neurological Equine Herpes Virus Type-1 (EHV-1), tends to kill horses within hours of the first symptoms.

Three horses died in an outbreak of the virus at Rome Farms in March, and a fourth at a stable in Wales tested positive, but has since recovered. Both facilities were put under a strict quarantine to reduce the risk of the disease spreading. The outbreak had sparked worry among members of the Bridges family, owners of Rome Farms, that the stigma would hurt business so badly that they could not continuing operating the stables.

But no more horses have died since the initial outbreak, and the horses that were exposed now pose no more threat of spreading the virus than any other horses, according to state veterinarian Don Hoenig.

This is welcome news, Theresa Bridges said, thanking members of the community who supported the family through a difficult time.

“We have learned a lot through this whole experience,” she said. “Although we still are stumped at how the virus landed here ... we are thankful it was contained here and that more horses were not affected.”

If you suspect your horse is affected by the EHV-1 virus, click here for a more detailed description.