According to a memorandum from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), due to the ongoing outbreak of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) at the Chicago, Ill.-area Hawthorne Race Course, restrictions have been placed on equine movement from Illinois to Kentucky.

The outbreak–which began in mid-October 2012–has resulted in the deaths of seven racehorses. A quarantine remains in place at the track. Officials have said that, barring any more positive tests, the quarantine could be lifted in early to mid-January.

In the Jan. 3 memorandum, Rusty Ford, equine programs manager in the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office, relayed that the "threat of transmission of the causative agent, coupled with environmental and epidemiological factors, has lead Kentucky State Veterinarian Dr. Robert Stout (DVM) to conclude that horses currently or recently stabled at Hawthorne pose a significant risk of exposure to this highly communicable disease."

Thus, according to the memo and effective immediately, all horses entering Kentucky from Illinois must have an entry permit issued by the KDA. Further, horses currently or recently stabled at Hawthorne will not be allowed at Kentucky racetracks, with the exception of horses approved by the Kentucky state veterinarian