‘Hold Order’ lifted at Bowie
The Maryland Department of Agriculture has lifted the “Investigational Animal Hold Order”
on Barn 7 and the isolated barn on the
grandstand side of the Bowie Training Center after follow-up testing on the
initial nasal swab samples sent to the University of Kentucky proved
negative for the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).
Blood samples taken on Tuesday morning, after a horse showed signs of the
virus, were also negative for EHV-1.
“We followed the appropriate procedures and we are obviously relieved with
the outcome,” Maryland Jockey Club President and General Manager Chris
Dragone said. “We are pleased that the system worked and that everybody worked
together so well.”
The Department of Agriculture field veterinarian handling the case inspected
the barn in question Friday morning and reported no signs of the virus in
any of the 18 horses currently stabled in Barn 7 or in the suspected horse.
The private veterinarian for trainer Robbie Bailes had been taking
temperatures and monitoring all the horses this week and found no
abnormalities.
“We were happy with the process,” said Dr. David Zipf, Maryland Racing Commission
veterinarian. “The trainer was very receptive and
cooperative. Because we know the virus is out there and we have learned that
most of the outbreaks happen during the winter, we are better prepared than ever
to identify the virus and respond quickly.”