The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) offers alerts about equine diseases that have been confirmed by reliable sources. The following information is from the EDCC. The following reports are in chronological order from most recent to oldest from previous reports.
Update on Fair Grounds Herpesvirus Quarantine
As of December 29, 2016, Barn #14 at the Fair Grounds racetrack is under quarantine and the 46 exposed horses are being monitored with temperatures taken twice daily. Enhanced biosecurity is in place for the barn and high traffic areas at the track and an after-hours exercise program has been implemented for the quarantined horses. A quarantine-isolation facility has been readied for use if a horse spikes a fever. Trainers in other barns have been advised to voluntarily monitor their horses’ temperatures and copies of a tracking log were distributed.
Track records show that eight horses left Barn 14 since Dec 20, 2016, when the index case became febrile and seven of those horses are still at the Fairgrounds in other barns and are being monitored. The eighth horse reportedly has left the premises and its destination is still under investigation. LDAF, USDA, and Racing Commission veterinarians, and track personnel are monitoring the incident on-site and updates will follow.
About EDCC
The Equine Disease Communication Center works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
The goal of the EDCC is to alert the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of disease. Ultimately frequent and accurate information about diseases outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps to prevent negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading infection. As part of the National Equine Health Plan the EDCC will serve as part of the communication to help educate and promote research about endemic and foreign disease.
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
The EDCC is made possible by generous donations from organizations and horse owners. Please visit our sponsors that have generously supported this program for the benefit of the health and welfare of horses. To learn how you can help go to SUPPORT.
