Willis\'s barn quarantined

Harnessracing.com has learned four of veteran Illinois-based trainer Nelson Willis’s horses have tested for equine herpes (EHV-1) and his barn at Balmoral Park has been quarantined. Willis had two horses scratched last Saturday at Balmoral and another three on Sunday.

Willis qualified some of his horses on Friday, April 13, and then some showed signs of sickness the following day. Another showed signs of EHV-1 the past weekend.

As a result of the quarantine and the EHV-1 outbreak, David P. Fitzpatrick DVM, chief state veterinarian for the Illinois Racing Board, posted the following on the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association website:

“With the prevalence of EHV-1 outbreaks in other jurisdictions, I would like to make the following recommendations to protect horses racing at Balmoral and Maywood.  All out-of-state horses shipping to Balmoral or Maywood are required to be accompanied by a valid health certificate with the horse’s temperature recorded and proof of EHV-1 vaccination within the last 60 days.

All Illinois horses shipping in or stabled on the track should be vaccinated with a high antigenic dose vaccine (i.e. Pneumabort K. Rhinomune) every 60-90 days.  All race-horses should have their temperature monitored once or twice daily.  Race horses with temperatures should not be exercised, shipped, or raced.

Trainers are advised to consult with their veterinarian if they have febrile horses and also on good bio-security procedures.  Contact the State Veterinarian’s office if you have any questions or problems.\"