More barns at Churchill Downs was isolated following cases of infectious equine herpes virus, specifically a strain called EHV-1. The following is the December 2 update, posted on the Equestrian Disease Media Center website:
Source: Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Confirmation Number: 6;
Comments: Outbreak Update: 12.2.22: As previously reported, testing of 13 horses residing on the back of Churchill Downs in Barn 37 with EHV index cases identified 5 more horses positive horse. This brings the number of affected horses to six. The index case is still hospitalized. Five additional positive horses were immediately placed in secure isolation at Stable 42. The remaining eight horses with negative test results continued to be housed in Stable 37 and monitored several times per day. to look for any signs of illness. So far, all are awake, responding quickly and showing no symptoms of EHV infection.
In addition, an epidemiological investigation identified two barns at high risk because of the potential for possible indirect transmission by individuals working and caring for horses in the affected barn (Barn 37). , as well as two other cages (Cages 36 and 38). Due to this increased risk, Stalls 36 and 38 have also been placed under quarantine to limit the contact of horses housed in those stalls with the general population.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture continues to closely monitor exposed horses in Stable 37. If no evidence of illness is found, this group of horses will be re-sampled as they approach 14 days from last exposure. jointly known. If this group is negative, the restrictions imposed on those horses will be lifted.
Horses in Stables 36 and 38 are considered indirect contact. To date, there have been no suspected clinical cases in stall 36 or 38, and all horses appear alert, responsive, and fever-free. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture will continue to monitor these horses and will immediately test if symptoms are present or disease is suspected and have provided two approved procedures to qualify horses in two years. This barn is released. As described above, these horses may be eligible for release by testing negative within 14 days of the last chance of indirect exposure. Additionally, assuming no clinical cases develop or are suspected in Stables 36 and 38, these horses may be eligible for release 28 days after the last chance of indirect exposure. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture currently identifies November 30, 2022 as the most recent known indirect exposure date and December 1, 2022 as the first day after indirect exposure.
Additionally, starting Friday morning, December 2, 2022, Churchill Downs has modified training hours to allow horses at Barns 36, 37 and 38 to enter the track. Training hours for the general public will be 5:30 – 8 a.m. Horses from Stables 36, 37 and 38 will be restricted to the track from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. with dedicated riding horses. Horses that test positive for infection at Barn 42 will remain in quarantine without entering the scheduled racetrack.
Churchill Downs has implemented enhanced biosecurity measures and will lift restrictions from unaffected stables as long as they have a valid Health Certificate issued within 24 hours of launch. operation, beginning December 3, 2022. The stable gate will retain copies of Health Certificates for departing horses. We appreciate the continued efforts, understanding and cooperation of the Kentucky Riders as we work together to maintain a healthy racing environment. As we have demonstrated before, reducing the risk of disease transmission in environments like these requires a ‘team effort’ and success depends on the synergies of all parties. .;
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