Editor’s note: Rusty Ford, Equine Programs Manager for the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office, reported the following on Saturday, January 26, at 10:45 p.m. Eastern time.
KEENELAND – Rice Road Training Center
Testing of samples collected on 1/25/17 from horses in both barns has been completed and reported. The testing did identify a second positive horse in the first barn, bringing the total EHV-1 ‘wild strain’ positive horses in that barn to two. This most recent horse, a 3-year-old Thoroughbred colt, was positive on nasal swab, negative on blood. The colt was moved from the barn to the secured isolation last night (Wednesday 1/25).
Testing of horses in the second barn did identify three horses, all 2-year-old Thoroughbred fillies, to be EHV-1 ‘wild strain’ positive by PCR from the nasal swabs. Testing of whole blood samples from each horse did not detect evidence of EHV1. These additional positive horses were moved from the barn to the secured isolation earlier tonight (Wednesday 1/25).
Each of the two quarantined barns are secured, entry into the barns restricted to essential personnel only and biosecurity levels are implemented at highest level. In addition to the affected barns, heightened biosecurity has been implemented in the entire barn area that includes directing and restricting entrance into each barn, as well as requiring disinfecting upon entry and exit of each barn.
Designated times have been established for the horses from the quarantined barns to gain access to the track for exercise following the normal training hours and after the general population of horses are returned to their barns.
TURFWAY PARK
The two positive horses identified and described on 1/24/17 were moved offsite and are securely isolated on a private farm.
Monitoring of the general population continues with no evidence of further cases developing.
The previously established and described protocols for ship-ins, racing, training and monitoring remains in effect.
Oldham Premises I
Testing of the barn’s population of horses that had been exposed to EHV-1 was completed yesterday (1/25/2017) with each horse testing NEGATIVE on both nasal swabs and whole blood. Having been greater than 14 days post exposure—and each horse now having two negative sets (nasal and blood) of results—the Kentucky Office of State Veterinarian has released the quarantine imposed on January 5, 2017, and the horses are under no further restrictions.
Oldham Premises II
Daily monitoring and assessment of the horses in the exposed quarantine barn continues with no evidence of further transmission of EHV-1. Collection of samples (swabs and blood) from these horses has been scheduled to be completed next week to determine their eligibility to be released from restrictions as well.
