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Belmont EHV-1 Quarantine Will Affect Fields For Laurel’s Top Winter Stakes

The 21-day quarantine currently in effect for Barn 15 at Belmont Park to control an outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) will preclude any New York-based horses from shipping in to Laurel Park for the time being, and will have an adverse effect on field sizes for the Maryland track's two Grade III winter sprint stakes on Feb. 17.

Mike Rogers, the president of the racing division for 1/ST Racing and Gaming, which owns Laurel, disclosed the ban on Belmont shippers during Tuesday's Maryland Racing Commission meeting. He specifically mentioned the General George S. and Barbara Fritchie S., both worth $200,000 and run at seven furlongs, as being affected. Two other $100,000 stakes are also on the same card.

“Unfortunately, we could be affected by the EHV-1 outbreak that took place in New York right now,' Rogers said. “As of right now, we're not accepting horses from New York. So it could affect our field size, because we do have a lot of nominations from New York.”

The highly contagious EHV-1 can spread during any time of the year, but the onset of winter typically brings a spike in cases nationwide.

Cute Curls (Tapiture), an unraced 3-year-old filly trained by Danny Gargan, was euthanized Feb. 3 after displaying acute neurological symptoms.

A New York Racing Association press release from Feb. 4 stated that 34 horses are stabled in Barn 15, which is also home to stalls for trainers Jim Ryerson and Gustavo Rodriguez.

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), which maintains a national database of updates and notices, reported Feb. 5 that a second filly out of Belmont's Barn 15 also spiked a fever and that “blood and a nasal swab are being submitted for PCR testing.”

The EDCC report continued: “An official NY State quarantine of all horses stabled in Barn 15 at Belmont Park Racetrack was put in place on 2/4/24. Horses stabled in Barn 15 are not permitted to train in the company of the general population of horses. Horses from Barn 15 must train after the close of regular training hours. Standard biosecurity measures are in place and enforced by NYRA Security personnel with veterinary supervision.”

Rogers said that “We'll take our guidance from our veterinarians before we allow [any] horses in from New York.”

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Do We Need To Practice Social Distancing With Our Horses?

Social distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, and the dreaded nasal swab have become part of our normal life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The equine industry faces similar types of outbreaks, but placing a mask on a horse isn't feasible. However, there are ways to prevent disease spread within the equine community.

The recent increase in horses affected by herpesvirus neurologic disease in North America and Europe reminds us that herpesvirus (EHV-1) remains a constant threat for horses. The virus, which causes upper airway infection and abortion, is highly contagious and easily transmitted between horses. Although there are vaccines for this virus, these vaccines are not completely effective and do not protect against the neurologic form of the disease, which is often fatal. The best protection to limit the spread of this disease is appropriate biosecurity, including isolation and social distancing.

Like COVID-19, equine diseases such as equine herpesvirus and equine influenza are highly infectious and spread by contact or by inhalation of micro-organisms on particles in the air or water. When an infected horse coughs or sneezes, tiny particles are spread. Viral diseases can also be spread by horse-to-horse contact or by contamination on commonly touched surfaces. Bacterial diseases such as Strangles are also transmitted through contact—from horse to horse or by horses touching common areas such as watering systems, tack, and grooming equipment. Both viruses and bacteria can be spread by humans working with an affected horse and carrying it to other horses.

Keeping horses separated is one of the most important steps in biosecurity to help prevent disease spread. When an infectious disease is suspected or confirmed, all horses in the same facility or on the same premise are at risk of becoming infected. Keeping horses separated in stalls or at a separate facility is crucial to stop the transmission of diseases to other horses. With very contagious diseases like equine herpesvirus, a quarantine is often necessary to stop all horse movement and limit movement of people on the affected premises.

Social distancing only works if appropriate sanitation measures and careful separation of tools and equipment are in place while caring for infected horses. Just as hand washing is needed to help control Covid-19, it is important that hands, clothing and any objects that come in contact with more than one horse are sanitized between horses.

If a horse is suspected or confirmed to have an infectious disease, horse owners should employ the following protocol to help prevent disease spread.

Immediately isolate the horse showing signs of an infection.
Implement movement restrictions of the affected horse and possibly exposed horses until the situation is evaluated.
Contact your veterinarian or the event veterinarian and ask what you should do.
Inventory horses, identify and isolate potentially exposed horses, and immediately implement health monitoring: take temperature twice daily (a temperature above 101.5° F suggests the horse has an infectious disease) and observe for clinical signs of depression or abnormal behavior.
When more than one owner or caretaker is involved, establish communication with all parties.

Additional protocol detail is available here.

EHV-1 Positive Horse In Pennsylvania Not Associated To European Outbreak

On March 3, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported that one horse was euthanized after being admitted to the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center with neurologic signs of Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1).

The horse, who lived in Pennsylvania, had no known affiliation with any international travel or competition, and is not considered to be associated in any way with the EHV-1 outbreak in Europe.

Veterinarians and horse owners in the United States are closely following the EHV-1 outbreak in Europe and remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent its spread to the States. EHV-1 is spread between horses from nasal discharge or aerosol droplets, as well as from touching contaminated surfaces.

There is no vaccine for the neurologic strain of equine herpesvirus; the fatality rate can reach 30 percent in horses that develop neurologic signs. A horse that recovers from the disease may retain neurologic deficits.

Vaccinated SC Mare Euthanized After Contracting EEE

An 8-year-old mare in Aiken County, SC, was euthanized on December 2 after contracting Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), reports the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC). The mare had been vaccinated for the disease. This is the 16^th case of EEE in South Carolina in 2020.

EEE is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes that affects the central nervous system of horses. Horses with EEE can have a fever, be depressed, have no interest in food or show difficulty swallowing. Additionally, the horse may have behavior changes like aggression or drowsiness, or walk circles, press his head or become blind.

Fatality rates for EEE are between 75 and 80 percent, with death occurring two to three days after clinical signs come on. Horses that survive may have residual impairment.

EEE vaccinations are available and significantly reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, horse owners and caretakers should reduce mosquito populations as much as possible by removing standing water and applying insect repellent to equines.