Third case of EHV-1

The third case of equine herpes virus has been confirmed at Northville Downs in Michigan. One barn at Northville Downs has been placed under quarantine while the source of infection and extent of spread is investigated by regulators.



On Jan. 14, animal health surveillance detected a horse, Pam's Cadet, exhibiting symptoms of illness at the Northville Downs. Further testing at the state's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health at Michigan State University confirmed Pam's Cadet as being the third case of EHV-1 to be found at the track in the past two months. Two previous cases, which occurred in mid-December, resulted in a three-week quarantine of a separate, non-adjacent barn at the racetrack. All three horses have been euthanized.



EHV-1 is a variant of the virus that can cause respiratory infection, abortion or neurological disease in equine. While this disease is NOT transmissible to humans or other animals, it is very contagious among horses and can cause severe illness and death. It can be spread by close contact aerosol or, in rare cases, by organic materials on clothes or equipment. Contaminated feed or water may also spread the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose or neurological signs and typically appear within 21 days of potential exposure.



Michigan animal health, racing commission and racetrack officials have taken immediate steps and safeguards to contain and prevent the spread of the disease. Specifically:

--Enacted a quarantine on the barn housing the affected horse. This provision prohibits any horses from leaving or entering the facility until animal health and track officials determine that horses leaving the barn will not spread the disease.

--Tracing of all horses and/or facilities that may have had contact with the affected horse.



--Monitoring exposed horses for signs of illness to ensure immediate detection, if present.



--Requiring frequent disinfecting of quarantined area and potential disease transmission pathways, including equipment of authorized individuals entering the barn to care for the horses.



--Requiring separate feed and water sources for horses in the quarantined barn.



--Prohibiting equipment, including tack, brushes, hoses, buckets, etc., from leaving the quarantined barn.



Northville Downs remains open for the conduct of live and simulcast horse racing. Horse owners with questions should contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture's State Veterinarian Office at 517.373.1077 or the Michigan Office of Racing Commissioner at 734.462.2400.

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