Three horses stabled at Vernon Downs are known to be infected with a strain of the Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV-1).
One of these horses was humanely euthanized.
EHV-1 is a viral infection which can cause respiratory
disease, abortion in broodmares, death in newborn foals and can also be a very
serious neurological disease. The virus does not affect people.
As of May 8, no other horses at New York racetracks or
additional horses at Vernon Downs have been reported to have EHV-1.
The Department of Agriculture and Markets has implemented a
28-day quarantine period. No horses will be permitted to ship in or out of
Vernon Downs until 28 days after the Department of Agriculture and Markets has
determined that the infected horses stop showing symptoms of EHV-1.
Barn number 4 and barn number 2 at Vernon Downs are under
strict quarantine, and the only persons permitted to enter these barns are
horse caretakers assigned to those barns. Horses in these barns are prohibited
from racing or training on the track. These barns will remain under strict
quarantine until 28 days after the last signs of EHV-1 are seen in their populations.
Based on these procedures, the Gaming Commission has
authorized Vernon Downs to resume live racing on Friday (May 10) with
unaffected horses that are currently on the grounds of the racetrack.
The quarantine procedures are subject to change as both the
Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Gaming Commission
continue to monitor the situation at Vernon Downs closely and may modify
restrictions based on conditions on-site and/or new information.
For more information on EHV-1, visit the American
Association of Equine Practitioner’s website or check the USDA APHIS’ brochure
on the virus.
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