Horses in barn 32 at Woodbine are in quarantine Friday morning after one horse trained by Krista Cole tested positive for equine herpes virus (EHV). That horse, which went to Equine Guelph on Tuesday, has recovered and is off the track, and the remaining horses in the barn have tested negative.
However, the barn must remain in quarantine and Woodbine has instituted a training schedule for the horses of barn 32.
On Thursday and Friday, horses entered in races from trainers Krista Cole, Debra Rombis and others were scratched.
From Woodbine:
Please take note that Baker’s Acres will be closed to the general horse population at 9:30 a.m. starting tomorrow, Friday June 20th, to allow quarantined horses in barn 32 to train.
Currently all horses in barn 32 have received negative test results for EHV. As such, horses will be allowed to ship out of Woodbine as normal.
From the AGCO:
The other 63 horses in the barn have tested negative for EHV-1 and have not exhibited any symptoms. These horses will continue to be closely monitored as they resume training and will not be permitted to race or train with other horses stabled at Woodbine.
The AGCO recommends that industry participants remain vigilant and check horse temperature twice a day. Any horses exhibiting elevated temperatures or other neurological symptoms will be immediately moved to an isolation barn.
While it cannot be spread to humans, EHV-1 is a highly contagious infectious disease that may cause significant illness and even death in horses.
The AGCO will continue to monitor the situation closely and further developments will be reported.
EHV-1 has an incubation period of approximately three to eight days and may in some cases be as long as 14 days. It is spread by nasal secretions and can live on gloves, boots, and equipment.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has been advised that a horse stabled at Woodbine Racetrack has tested positive for the neurotropic strain of EHV-1. After exhibiting neurological symptoms, the horse was transported to the Ontario Veterinary College where it was confirmed positive and is currently recovering.
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