An epidemic of chronic rhinitis in a population of 50 captive spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca graeca) from Palafrugell (Girona, Spain) is described, in which eight animals died and 12 were euthanatized to perform necropsies and post-mortem studies. The main clinical sign was a bilateral, seromucous rhinitis often accompanied by stomatitis and glossitis. Hematology and serum biochemistry were performed in 33 of the 50 ill animals and in 29 healthy tortoises from three disease-free populations. Lymphocyte count, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity, and a-globulin levels were significantly higher in the animals from the sick poptulation. The heterophil count was significantly lower in the sick animals. Some of the diseased tortoises also showed a normocytic-normochromic anemia. Lesions were restricted to the respiratory system and oral cavity. Marked epithelial hyperplasia and presence of a severe mixed inflammatory infiltrate in the epithelium of the oral, nasal, and tracheal miucosae were observed. Electron mi- croscopy demonstrated the presence of mntracytoplasmic and intranuclear viral particles of the size, shape, and distribution pattern typical of a herpesvirus. Key words: Chronic rhinitis, epidemic, herpesviral infection, spur-thighed tortoise, Testudo graeca graeca.