Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
Update as of Jan. 26, 2018
The quarantine of Barn 44 at Belmont Park for equine herpesvirus-1 was lifted after a subsequent test came back negative on one horse that had tested positive two weeks ago.
Officials at the New York Racing Association and New York State Gaming Commission have removed the quarantine, effective immediately. Horses in Barn 44 are now able to enter races, as well as train among the general horse population during regular training hours.
All horses in Barn 44 were monitored daily for fever and other signs of illness. No other horses showed any symptoms of the disease.
Update as of Jan. 19, 2018
The precautionary quarantine of Barn 44 at Belmont Park for equine herpesvirus-1 remains in place because a follow-up test came back positive on one horse that had originally tested positive for EHV-1 Jan. 9.
The affected horse, an unnamed, unraced 3-year-old male, had been sent to the Cornell Ruffian Equine Hospital near Belmont to be treated for a fever and mild respiratory issue. Since his release from the Ruffian Center, the horse has been quarantined in isolation at Belmont.
Throughout the process, the horse, trained by Linda Rice, has shown no neurological symptoms of the virus.
All horses in Barn 44 have been and will continue to be monitored daily for fever and other signs of illness. Currently, all horses that had been exposed to the affected horse remain afebrile and asymptomatic.
Congruent to the procedures presently in place, the horses in Barn 44 will not be permitted to run or enter races through the duration of the quarantine. They will continue to train in isolation during special training hours following the normal closure of the Belmont training track.
Posted: Jan. 11, 2018
The New York Racing Association Jan. 10 placed a Belmont Park barn under quarantine after one horse tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1.
The test was confirmed by the New York State Gaming Commission. The horse, an unraced 3-year-old that developed a fever and mild respiratory issues, is trained by Linda Rice and housed in Barn 44, NYRA said.
The horse has shown no neurological symptoms of the virus but was sent to the Ruffian Center for observation. He is scheduled to return to Belmont in the coming days and will be placed in quarantine in an isolated barn as a precautionary measure.
NYRA said the horse will be closely monitored and subsequently retested. The racing organization, New York State Veterinarian’s Office and NYSGC employed a control plan to prevent additional exposure to the horse population.
All horses in Barn 44 were placed under quarantine, where they will be monitored daily for fever and other signs of illness, NYRA said. All horses exposed to the affected horse are “afebrile and asymptomatic” but will not be permitted to run or enter races.
In addition, horses in the barn will only be permitted to train after the regular 10:30 a.m. closure of the training track.
NYRA said it will provide updates as information becomes available. The Equine Disease Communications Center provides updates on outbreaks around the country.
(Photo courtesy of NYTHA)