On Nov. 30, the Equine Disease Communication Center reported that a 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly stabled at Churchill Downs tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1). The filly was referred to a Lexington equine clinic after displaying hind limb ataxia in addition to a recurring fever. She was vaccinated for the virus; 13 horses that were housed in the same barn were quarantined, with an additional five horses testing positive for EHV today (December 1).
Effective immediately, Churchill Downs has restricted movement out of the racetrack's backside until further notice. Churchill Downs is working closely and in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to ensure maximum effectiveness of its health and safety protocols throughout the management of this process. The five additional horses that have tested positive for EHV-1 are asymptomatic but have been successfully isolated away from the affected barn where they will await a series of further testing. Continued testing of the horses with potential of exposure and those of the affected trainers is underway.
A fact sheet on EHV from the Equine Disease Communication Center can be found at https://bit.ly/3VuDFep. Additional updates will be posted to their website and to the Kentucky Horse Council's Equine Health Alerts page at https://bit.ly/3F2GMmV.
Categories: Kentucky, Livestock