December 3, 2009

Three stables at a Florida racecourse have been placed under quarantine after a horse tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) this week.

The horse had been showing neurological symptoms over the weekend at Calder Race Course and was sent on Sunday to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine for testing.

The quarantine is expected to remain in place for three weeks. Horses in the affected barns will not be permitted to train with the rest of the horses at the track during this period, but will have access to the main track on non-race days at certain times.

In another measure, no horses will be permitted entry into Calder for two weeks from November 30.

Course officials said they were working with the Florida Department of Agriculture and its Division of Animal Industry to take precautions against the disease.

It announced yesterday (NZ time) that it was postponing two Graded turf stakes scheduled for this Saturday. Both will be rescheduled. Otherwise, racing continues as scheduled, with meetings planned for Thursday and Saturday.

"While there is no evidence of other horses diagnosed with the disease at Calder, the quarantine is part of the track's operational procedures to reduce risk for further contamination," it said in a statement.

EHV-1 is highly contagious which can cause respiratory problems and, in some instances, neurological problems.