There have been no significant changes since the California Horse Racing Board’s February 23 update concerning the horse at Los Alamitos that tested positive for the non-neurogenic, ‘wild type’ strain of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1).

There have been no other suspect cases at Los Alamitos or at any racetrack in California.

One barn at Los Alamitos with 11 horses remains under quarantine by order of California Department of Food and Agriculture veterinarians, who will lift the 14-day quarantine on Monday, March 5, provided there are no additional sick horses.

The CHRB will continue to allow horses from Los Alamitos to race at Santa Anita under the same conditions as previously described. Those horses must be inspected by CHRB veterinarians prior to shipping to Santa Anita; they will not be allowed into the general Santa Anita population; and they are required to return to Los Alamitos after racing.

Normal transfer of horses between Los Alamitos and Santa Anita will not resume until the quarantined barn is released.

Any questions should be directed to the official veterinarians and/or Dr. Rick Arthur, the CHRB’s equine medical director.

Updates will continue to be posted in the official veterinarians’ offices and on the following websites:

cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/animal_health/equine_herpes_virus.html
equinediseasecc.org/alerts/outbreaks

(CHRB)