On Thursday (February 8), the U.S. Equine Disease Control Center issued a series of updates regarding the status of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) outbreaks in Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

Equine Herpes Viruses - The Meadows Racetrack, PA
Outbreak Update
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture veterinarians have now posted official quarantines for seven barns at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County. To date, two EHM cases and four additional confirmed EHV-1 positive, non EHM cases have been identified at The Meadows related to this incident. The initial quarantine was posted on January 22 for a suspected case of EHM that was taken from The Meadows to the Ohio State University for treatment. That case was confirmed EHV-1 positive on January 22.

The most recent quarantine at The Meadows was posted on February 3. Biosecurity has been implemented in ALL barns and anywhere that people comingle. The track has suspended racing, but continues to evaluate the status of new cases and racing options. The stable gates have been closed since the first official quarantines were posted.

Equine Herpes Viruses - Kennett Square, PA
Outbreak Update
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

The official quarantines imposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture on two barns at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, have been lifted effective Saturday, February 3, 2018.

A self-imposed quarantine, approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, remains in effect on three horses that previously tested positive for EHV-1. These horses have remained stalled in an on-site isolation facility with dedicated staff that is entirely separate from personnel handling other horses. Quarantine revocation testing for these three animals will begin Wednesday, February 7, 2018.

New Bolton Center has resumed normal operations and is currently admitting all equine elective and emergency patients with minimal restrictions. Additionally, all elective and emergency camelid cases are being admitted. All cows, goats, sheep, or pig patients continue to be admitted to the hospital. Field Service operations remain unaffected and the Center will continue to receive appointments for non-equine animals. Reproductive services at the Hofmann Center are fully operational.

New Bolton Center Trace Update:

Over the past two weeks, the Dept. of Agriculture has been able to revoke quarantines on all but two of the trace premises in Pennsylvania related to this incident. Testing for quarantine revoke at those two premises will begin on or after February 12. No EHM cases have been identified at any of the trace premises.

Equine Herpes Viruses - Turfway Park, KY
Outbreak Update
Source: Kentucky Department of Agriculture

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture confirmed Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1: wild strain) in a horse at Turfway Park in Boone County. The horse presented with neurologic signs on Feb. 2, continued to deteriorate and was euthanized. One barn at the racetrack has been quarantined while the Office of the State Veterinarian conducts an investigation. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's webpage will be updated accordingly.

As of Feb. 6, one barn at Turfway is under quarantine for EHV-1. Three horses, under the care of two different trainers, have been found positive by PCR testing - two were found to be positive on blood and nasal swab, with the third being nasal swab positive, blood negative. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will continue to have personnel on the grounds working with the track management, horsemen, veterinarians and racing officials.

On Feb. 8, both horses that tested positive for EHV-1 on Feb. 6 at Turfway were removed from the grounds and placed in isolation at a private facility. The horses that had moved from the quarantine barn prior to restrictions being implemented have all been sampled and testing completed. Each horse has been reported negative by PCR on both nasal swabs and whole blood and remain in isolation. There have been no fevers or other evidence of illness reported in the quarantine barn.