On April 16, Maryland Jockey Club Interim President Mike Rogers, along with 1/ST Racing’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Dionne Benson, released a statement concerning one horse at Laurel Park testing positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1). According to the statement, the infected horse started displaying neurological symptoms in its hind limbs on April 14. At this time, that horse, along with a second horse that had been in close proximity to the affected horse but showed no symptoms, were relocated to an isolation barn at Laurel Park. In addition, Barn 33, where the affected horse was stabled, was placed under strict quarantine.
MJC officials notified the Maryland State Veterinarian’s Office the same day and the affected horse was tested for EHV-1 with results from the nasal swab reporting positive for the virus as of April 15. Further testing has been done with the results still pending.
Currently, MJC has reported that Laurel Park staff, officials and horsemen are working with the State Veterinarian’s Office to develop a comprehensive quarantine protocol for Barn 33. “This plan will allow horses in this barn to train separately form the general population and enable other barns to continue their regular racing and training activities,” according to the April 16 MJC statement. At this time, all other horses at Laurel Park are also being monitored for EHV-1 symptoms.
