Laurel filly tests positive for equine herpesvirus

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed today that Nin

(Parker's Storm Cat), a filly trained by King Leatherbury at Laurel Park, has

tested positive for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1). The two-year-old, who could not

stand Wednesday morning, was sitting up and eating Thursday morning with no

fever.

A Hold Order has been placed on Barn 1 at the central Maryland track, which

means none of the horses in the barn will be permitted to train or race, pending

further testing. None of the other 29 horses are showing neurologic signs.

MDA took blood samples and nasal swabs on the horses stabled near Nin in the

barn this morning. Preliminary test results should be available by Friday

afternoon.

"We are working cooperatively with all involved parties using the most

up-to-date science and best practices to manage this situation and are doing

comprehensive tests to determine the nature of this outbreak," Maryland State

Veterinarian Dr. Guy Hohenhaus said. "In the meantime, we urge everyone's

diligence in continuing strong preventive measures such as keeping new horses

separate from your general barn population for at least one week, disinfecting

and keeping vaccinations up to date."

Equine herpesvirus causes upper respiratory infection and can lead to severe

neurological disease. Four horses died at Pimlico and Laurel during an outbreak

of the virus in 2006.

"Today's news is disappointing but we have already put the proper precautions

into place to control the situation," said Georganne Hale, Maryland Jockey Club

racing secretary. "We learned a great deal from 2006 and now know to shut things

down immediately if there is a possible case so as to reduce the possibility of

it spreading. The one advantage to having this happen in Barn 1 is that it is

already isolated from much of the backside."

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 of the

virus can occur via coughing or sneezing over a distance of up to 35 feet as

well as by direct contact with infected horses, feed and equipment. Based on

clinical signs, there is no reason to believe that there is any human health

risk.