Editor’s note: Rusty Ford, Equine Programs Manager for the Kentucky State Veterinarian’s office, released the following information at 1:45 p.m. on January 29.
Our directive continues that horses currently residing at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans shall not be permitted entry onto a Kentucky racetrack or their associated training facilities at this time. The Kentucky Office of State Veterinarian continues to monitor and evaluate developments and are prepared to adjust our strategies up or down as the disease risks warrant. In addition to horses originating from Fair Grounds, horses that have moved from Fair Grounds to other tracks or training facilities in Louisiana during the preceding 30 days would be considered at risk as well and will not be allowed entry onto a Kentucky racetrack or their associated training facilities.
We do have in place a protocol that could allow horses to move from that area onto privatefarms, where they can be isolated and tested. With this protocol, we expect to have a better understanding of the associated risk horses originating from that area might pose and will adjust our strategies up or down accordingly.
BELOW IS THE PROTOCOL DEFINED AND TO BE FOLLOWED FOR HORSES ORIGINATING FROM FAIR GROUNDS DESTINED TO KENTUCKY FARMS OR OTHER PRIVATE FACILITIES IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE. THE CRITERIA ESTABLISHED INCLUDES THAT THE FACILITY THE HORSE(S) ARE DESTINED TO CAN PROVIDE ADEQUATE ISOLATION ON ARRIVAL SO THAT THEIR PREMISES IS NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED SHOULD THE POST ARRIVAL TEST REVEAL EVIDENCE OF INFECTION OR SHEDDING OF EQUINE HERPESVIRUS TYPE 1.
Horses departing Fair Grounds destined to Kentucky will exit the premises with a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). The CVI shall include a statement that examination of the horse was performed during the 24-hour period preceding departure from the Fair Grounds, and that the horse(s) listed on the CVI are not originating from a barn where an active case of EHV-1 has been diagnosed within the previous 30 days. If this statement can’t be made, it will be necessary note that and to also demonstrate the entire population of horses in the barn were tested NEGATIVE after 14 days following the last known exposure.
ADDITIONALLY, and for the immediate future: Each horse leaving Fair Grounds destined to a Kentucky Farm should be tested NEGATIVE in the four-day period preceding the DEPARTURE with the testing certificate attached to the CVI and the horse isolated post arrival. Horses arriving without proof of having been tested NEGATIVE as stated must have arrangement made and stated on the CVI that proper isolation is available at the KENTUCKY destination. In addition, the horse(s) will be tested for EHV-1 between 48-96 hours after arrival. Following the isolation with no evidence of a communicable disease and after the horse(s) tests NEGATIVE by PCR, movement of the horse forward would be unrestricted.
FAIR GROUNDS RESPONSIBILITY: EACH DAY, THE CERTIFICATES FOR HORSES THAT HAVE DEPARTED FAIR GROUNDS FOR KENTUCKY – Should be sent to Kentucky Office State Veterinarian. The certificates can be scanned and emailed to Rusty1.ford@ky.gov; agr.equine@ky.gov or sent by facsimile to 502-573-1020.
We will continue to monitor the movement of horses from these designated areas, evaluate the risk posed and adjust our strategies up or down as needed.
We appreciate the effort being put forth by Fair Grounds that will allow the safe movement of horses from their property to Kentucky farms.
