from the Maryland Department of Agriculture
Additional Cases of Equine Herpesvirus Confirmed at Laurel Park Racetrack
Horses Remain in Isolation and Quarantined
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 19, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Animal Health Program has confirmed additional cases of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) at Laurel Park Racetrack. Following a positive test on March 9, a second horse in the same barn began displaying clinical signs of EHV-1 and was confirmed positive on March 15. That horse did not respond to treatment and has been euthanized.
Following the second positive case, MDA Animal Health officials tested the remaining 20 horses housed in the same barn as the two positive horses on March 17. Those tests returned six positive results from asymptomatic horses. All positive horses have been removed from the barn and placed in isolated quarantine offsite. The original hold order on the four impacted barns has been reset, and horses in the index barn will be retested prior to releasing the order. The department continues to work closely with Laurel Park Racetrack and Maryland Jockey Club to ensure that daily operations are able to continue as safely as possible with minimal disruption.
Owners are cautioned to monitor horses at their premises carefully, and should contact their private veterinarians to arrange for Equine Herpesvirus testing if a horse exhibits significant temperature elevations or neurologic signs. Veterinarians are required to report equine neurologic syndrome to the department by calling the Animal Health Program at (410) 841-5810.
