Grandstand at Fonter Park | Courtesy Fonter Park
Barn R on the back of a chair at Nebraska’s Fonner Park was placed in quarantine for 21 days after a pair of horses were tested for equine herpes virus (EHV-1). Both horses were later killed.
On Wednesday, March 9, a horse at Barn R had a high temperature and demonstrated mobility problems. The first round of testing at the NVLS in Ames, Iowa, was fruitless, requiring one more sample. The second horse started showing similar symptoms on the same day. On the evening of March 11, laboratory results were released and proved positive for EHV-1.
The stables in Barn R are restricted from contact with the rest of the horses, and any horse entering Fonner Park will not be able to leave the stable until the quarantine is lifted. The track has begun to clean the lawn, the starting gate and other common areas for horses.
“We issued the protocol immediately and now we must comply and strengthen our safety measures,” said Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak. “Everybody knows they have a role to play in our return to normalcy. Sadly, there are many people in the now closed stable who are unable to earn the wages to support themselves and their horses. “
Not a subscriber? Click here to subscribe to PDF or daily alerts.
This story was posted in Top News and tagged Chris Kotulak, EHV-1 positive, Fonter Park, Race.
