Maryland Case of EHV-1 Confirmed, No Other Horses Positive

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) reports that blood and nasal swab samples from a two-year old filly in Laurel Park’s Barn 1 are confirmed positive for neurologic equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) by the University of Kentucky.  No other  horses in Barn 1 are showing signs of EHV-1.  Samples taken from five additional horses in the same barn are negative for EHV-1 by the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory in College Park. Samples from two other stable mates have been taken and results are pending. 

A Hold Order was placed on Barn 1 at the central Maryland track by the Maryland Department of Agriculture  on November 12 restricting all movement into and out of the barn, pending further testing.  In addition, today the Maryland Jockey announced that until further notice no horses will be allowed to ship into Laurel Park except those from the Bowie Training Center on a Maryland Jockey Club shuttle.  This action is a pro-active and preventative measure taken with an abundance of caution by the Jockey Club.

“We have tested the four horses in the barn that are known to have left the state and returned in the past 10 days and all are negative,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Guy Hohenhaus.  “This is positive news for us, for horsemen in other states and for our state veterinary colleagues with whom we are working closely.”

Equine herpesvirus causes upper respiratory infection and can lead to severe neurological disease. There is currently no known method to reliably prevent the neurologic form of EHV-1 infection. It is recommended to maintain appropriate vaccination procedures in an attempt to reduce the incidence of the respiratory form of EHV-1 infection, which may help prevent the neurologic form. Transmission occurs primarily by direct nose to nose contact or contaminated hands, equipment, feed and water. It can also be spread up to 35 feet by airborn droplets. This virus is not associated with any human health risk.

Regular updates regarding this investigation will be available on MDA’s website www.mda.state.md.us.

Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture Press Release