The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is monitoring all horses entering Louisiana from Illinois due to the recent equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak at Hawthorne Race Course, located near Chicago. Horse owners must provide health certificates to the Louisiana State Veterinarian’s Office prior to the animal’s entry.

"This is a precautionary measure to prevent exposure to horses in Louisiana," said LDAF Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM. "The Louisiana Office of the State Veterinarian is monitoring the outbreak at Hawthorne Race Course. This is a highly contagious disease and we will prohibit all horses from Illinois from entering the state unless they are cleared by a veterinarian."

Horses entering the state must have a health certificate that discloses that the horse has not been on Hawthorne’s grounds in the preceding 30 days.

According to Stanley Seeling, president of the Louisiana Horseman’s Benevolent and Protective Association, horses typically travel from Hawthorne Race Course to racetracks in Louisiana for the winter races