Florida officials confirm nine EHV-1 cases

Laboratory tests confirmed that nine horses in Florida have contracted equine

herpesvirus (EHV-1), according to an update from the Florida Department of

Agriculture on Monday. Seven cases have occurred in the area of Wellington,

Florida, where the outbreak first began two weeks ago at the local show grounds.

One horse in Ocala has tested positive, as has another in Indiantown.

Five deaths have been attributed to EHV-1, but of those, only two have been

confirmed by tests.

The barn area at the Payson Park training center in Indiantown was

quarantined Saturday following the death of a Thoroughbred on Friday, according

to the Daily Racing Form. Mark Fagan, a spokesman for the Florida

Department of Agriculture, confirmed that the deceased horse was trained by John

Hennig.

Nine other premises are also under quarantine -- seven in the Wellington

area, one in Ocala and one in Jupiter. Of the 10 quarantine sites, eight have

confirmed EHV-1 cases and two have suspect neurologic cases.

Payson Park is a private training center with some top stables. Bill Mott,

Christophe Clement, Tom Albertrani and John Kimmel are among the conditioners

with horses on the grounds. Global powerhouse Godolphin also has horses at

Payson, led by undefeated superstar Discreet Cat (Forestry).

It is not known how long the quarantine will be in effect or how it will

affect the upcoming Gulfstream Park meet, which begins on January 3. Calder and

Tampa Bay Downs, which are both currently racing, announced precautionary

measures last week in response to the EHV-1 outbreak in Florida.