On Friday, February 16, Barn 30 (in addition to Barn 3 that was quarantined earlier this week, and Barn 7 that we are using to house positive horses) at the Thoroughbred Center (TCC) in Lexington was placed under Order of Quarantine following a horse in that barn being confirmed positive for EHV-1 “wild type.” The 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly tested PCR Positive on both nasal swab and blood.
The filly, after presenting with a fever, was moved from Barn 30 into isolation and precautionary measures implemented on Thursday evening. With the confirmation of EHV-1 on February 16, Barn 30 was quarantined, perimeter fencing to control movement in and around the barn area erected, guarded security placed on the barn, and biosecurity procedures implemented at ALERT status.
Earlier on Saturday, February 17, representatives from the Kentucky Office of State Veterinarian (Dr. Robert Stout and this author), The Thoroughbred Center’s management, and horsemen met to share the factual information and provide an opportunity for a Question and Answer session.
Additionally, in consultation with management at Turfway Park, a protocol has been developed that can allow horses from the non-affected barn areas at The Thoroughbred Center (to include horses that ship-in to train/work at the Thoroughbred Training Center) to enter for racing at Turfway Park beginning on Thursday February 22. Protocols will include a thorough veterinary examination made on the morning of the day’s racing. If determined the horse meets entry requirements (that includes negative EIA, current EHV-1 vaccination, normal body temperature, etc.), a health certificate is to be issued for the movement.
Horses from The Thoroughbred Center will ship to Turfway Park and stable in the designated area and assigned stall in the receiving barn. Following the night’s racing, the horses will return to The Thoroughbred Training Center.
The measures allowing this movement for racing were made after horsemen here in Kentucky at both The Thoroughbred Training Center and Turfway Park had demonstrated their individual and collective commitment to serving and ensuring all possible precautions are taken to protect Kentucky’s racing environment remains a healthy and viable environment.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s State Veterinarians Office will continue to have a presence at both The Thoroughbred Training Center and Turfway Park and will make updates available as warranted.
This article was authored by E.S. Rusty Ford, Equine Operations Consultant, Office the Kentucky State Veterinarian.
