UPDATE: Effective Sunday August 15, Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s Office of State Veterinarian rescinds restrictions on horses originating from Saratoga Race Course. Horses from Saratoga that meet the standard health requirements for Kentucky tracks and training centers (including EHV-1 vaccination, 72-hour Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, and valid negative EIA test) will be allowed unrestricted entry.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture sent out this note through the Equine Disease Communication Center regarding the Saratoga Racetrack neurologic equine herpesvirus issue:
Due to Kentucky’s inability to adequately isolate new arrivals on the grounds of Kentucky tracks and training facilities and out of an abundance of caution, additional requirements will be placed on horses from Saratoga Race Course requesting entry to Kentucky tracks and associated training centers after July 31.
Horses which have recently (since July 31) been on the grounds at Saratoga can qualify for approval to enter a Kentucky track or sanctioned training center, if they have documentation demonstrating they were off the grounds prior to July 31 OR have been tested by PCR after July 3t and reported negative for EHV-1 on both nasal swab and whole blood—EDTA samples. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for the horse(s) from the point where the sample was collected needs to be issued for movement to the Kentucky racing or training facility and must document the EHV-1 testing and current health assessment in addition to meeting the normal entry requirements that includes EHV1 vaccination and EIA test certificate.
