The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has been advised that a horse stabled at Woodbine has tested positive for the neurotropic equine herpesvirus strain known as EHV-1. After exhibiting neurological symptoms, the horse was transported to the Ontario Veterinary College, where it was confirmed positive and is currently recovering.
An equine herpesvirus biosecurity plan has been initiated at Woodbine as a precautionary measure, which includes restricting access to the affected barn and ongoing monitoring of the other horses stabled there.
The other 63 horses in the barn have tested negative for EHV-1 and have not exhibited any symptoms. These horses will continue to be closely monitored as they resume training and will not be permitted to race or train with other horses stabled at Woodbine.
Quarantines are lifted after a period of time if no other horses show indications of EHV-1.
Daily Racing Form reported June 19 that the barn under quarantine is Barn 32, and Krista Cole trains the horse that tested positive. Due to the restrictions in place for horses stabled in Barn 32, several entered horses were scratched on the Thursday card.
The AGCO recommends that industry participants remain vigilant and check their horses' temperatures twice a day. Any horses exhibiting elevated temperatures or other neurological symptoms will be immediately moved to an isolation barn.
While it cannot be spread to humans, EHV-1 is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease that can result in stillborns in horses. Additionally, the disease can develop neurological complications, which can be fatal.
