NEWS
Turfway quarantine lifted after negative EHV-1 tests
Posted: Saturday, January 31, 2009 2:03 PM
The quarantine imposed Friday on Barn 17 at Turfway Park after Rockhouse Rocket was euthanized was lifted Saturday morning after test samples from the horse came back negative for equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) and other communicable diseases.
The Office of the State Veterinarian for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture reported testing was conducted by Steve Sells, M.S., chief of the Molecular Biology Section of the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center at the University of Kentucky.
Tests to determine if EHV-1 was the cause for the abnormal neurologic presentation came back negative.
"With this evidence, the Kentucky state veterinarian's office is satisfied that the cause of illness was not herpes,” E. S. "Rusty" Ford, equine programs manager for the Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian, said in a message to Turfway Park. "Additionally, with no other evidence presented suggesting this animal was suffering from a communicable illness, the state veterinarian's office has no reason to continue the hold order placed on Barn 17 yesterday.
"Horses currently housed in Barn 17 on the backside of Turfway Park are free to resume normal racing and training activities.”
The barn was quarantined immediately after Rockhouse Rocket began to demonstrate neurological symptoms of equine herpesvirus.
"We appreciate the quick response of the state team and Dr. Sells," said Elliston. "We were able to obtain results early this morning only because Dr. Sells chose to go to his lab at the University of Kentucky last night to begin the test. We appreciate his extra effort that allowed such a quick resolution to this worrisome matter."
