Possible EHV-1 Cases Have Tracks On-Guard

The racing industry is safeguarding against equine herpesvirus-1 in light of a possible equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., where several horses have developed fevers and are being tested for the illness.

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The racing industry is safeguarding against equine herpesvirus-1 in light of a possible equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., where several horses have developed fevers and are being tested for the illness. New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority’s (NJSEA) track officials, who oversee Monmouth and Meadowlands racetracks, have placed restrictions on horses stabled at Monmouth and on horses shipping into the Meadowlands (in Rutherford, N.J.) Several racetracks around the country have issued statements that horses that have been stabled at Monmouth will not be permitted on their grounds.

Horses at Monmouth cannot be moved off the premises, with the exception of horses that will be shipped to the Meadowlands for racing. "Horses that ship into the Meadowlands for racing will need to ship to Monmouth after they have raced and remain with the general population of horses there for 12 days (the incubation period for the virus is six to 10 days)," said a statement from NJSEA officials.

Dennis Dowd, NJSEA’s senior vice president, said in the statement, "It is an unconfirmed case, but nonetheless it requires the most restrictive and diligent course of action possible. After meeting with veterinarians and horsemen today it was agreed that this course of action was the most optimal in ensuring the protection of everyone who could be affected."

Two horses from Canada arrived late last week in Monmouth’s stable area with all required veterinary certificates for entry. However, one horse spiked a fever after arrival and was treated accordingly. Five horses in that barn all developed a fever, and the barn was quarantined. Dowd reported that Monmouth and Meadowlands staff have disinfected "all areas from the starting gate to individual stalls

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Written by:

Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director, grew up riding and caring for her family’s horses in Central Virginia and received a B.A. in journalism and equestrian studies from Averett University. She joined The Horse in 1999 and has led the editorial team since 2010. A 4-H and Pony Club graduate, she enjoys dressage, eventing, and trail riding with her former graded-stakes-winning Thoroughbred gelding, It Happened Again (“Happy”). Stephanie and Happy are based in Lexington, Kentucky.

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