Suspected case of equine herpesvirus at Bowie

A suspected case of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) has caused officials at the

Maryland Jockey Club to place a Hold Order on Barn 16 at the Bowie Training

Center as a precautionary measure. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is

awaiting results of tests to determine if a horse stabled in the barn, who was

euthanized this morning, was infected.

The Hold Order affects the barn that houses horses trained by Annette

Eubanks, Bobby Lee Plummer and Patrick Magill.

Horses conditioned by those trainers are not allowed into or out of the barn

until given clearance by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. There will be

24-hour security outside the barn. Anyone leaving the barn needs to change

his/her clothes and disinfect his/her feet.

Equine herpesvirus-1 (also known as "rhino"), which causes upper respiratory

infection, can also cause 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 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.

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