The 48 horses stabled in Barn 26 at Turfway Park in Boone County, Ky., were released Jan. 19 from quarantine. Horses in Barns 26 and 27 were quarantined following a Dec. 21, 2005, outbreak of equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) at the track, according to Rusty Ford of the Kentucky state veterinarian’s office. He said horses in Barn 26 were released from the quarantine order after they remained symptom-free for more than 21 days. Each animal tested negative by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and showed no abnormalities when examined. They are now allowed to train on the track without restrictions.

However, as of Jan. 19, horses in Turfway’s Barn 27 (another barn with confirmed cases of EHV-1) remain under quarantine as do the outrider and lead ponies from the track, which are currently being housed at the Boone County Fairgrounds. So far, three horses at Turfway have been diagnosed as having the neurological form of EHV-1 at the track; two of the horses were euthanatized (see https://thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6452).

Additionally, 16 horses at the Western Kentucky Training Center in Henderson, Ky., remain under quarantine. Two of the 16 horses tested positive for EHV-1 and the barn was quarantined on Jan. 5. Veterinarians examined the horses Jan. 16 and found no abnormalities. Samples were collected for each horse and were sent to the University of Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center where scientists will use PCR assays to test for herpesvirus (see www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=6455).

Horses entering Turfway Park are required to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 10 days that shows proof of EHV-1 vaccination. Horses leaving the track must also have a CVI issued within 24 hours of the horse’s arrival.
 
Restrictions are also in place for horses traveling to other racetracks. “The West Virginia Racing Commission made us aware that horses from Kentucky are prohibited entry onto Mountaineer Park and Charles Town Races,” Ford said