Negative EHV-1 tests prompt removal of some Turfway restrictions

Negative EHV-1 tests prompt removal of some Turfway

restrictions

Kentucky State Veterinarian Robert Stout has rescinded restrictions placed on

31 Turfway Park lead ponies and outrider horses after their tests came back

negative for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1). The 31 are allowed to return to the Florence, Kentucky,

track and are eligible to return to work beginning January 24.

The negative buffy coat result, supported by information that no clinical

evidence of disease has been suggested within these 31 horses or the barns

housing them during the previous 23 day period, led officials to conclude

that these animals are not affected with an active equine herpes virus

infection.

In addition, nasal swab samples were taken from 32

horses. While 31 of these samples were reported negative on the nested PCR

assay, the remaining sample suggested an inconclusive result showing some EHV-1

DNA particles were detected. State officials, however, remain confident that

this DNA detected in the one horse most likely represents dead particles from a

past illness. This conclusion is based on the animal's testing history,

consistent normal presentation, the clean environment the horse has remained in,

and the fact that multiple samples have failed to detect EHV-1 in the buffy

coat. Turfway Park will err cautiously by not allowing that animal to return to

Turfway Park at this time, so it remains quarantined at the Boone County Fair

Grounds awaiting removal to a suitable location.

This latest removal of restrictions follows removal of the

quarantine placed on Barn 26 last week, permitting 48 horses to rejoin the general

population.

Samples have been taken from the 52 horses who remain quarantined in Barn 27,

and results are expected later this week.