A suspected case of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) has caused officials at the
Maryland Jockey Club to place a Hold Order on Barn 16 at the Bowie Training
Center as a precautionary measure. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is
awaiting results of tests to determine if a horse stabled in the barn, who was
euthanized this morning, was infected.
The Hold Order affects the barn that houses horses trained by Annette
Eubanks, Bobby Lee Plummer and Patrick Magill.
Horses conditioned by those trainers are not allowed into or out of the barn
until given clearance by the Maryland Department of Agriculture. There will be
24-hour security outside the barn. Anyone leaving the barn needs to change
his/her clothes and disinfect his/her feet.
Equine herpesvirus-1 (also known as “rhino”), which causes upper respiratory
infection, can also cause neurological disease. There is currently no known
method to reliably prevent the neurologic form of EHV-1 infection. It is
recommended to maintain appropriate vaccination procedures in an attempt to
reduce the incidence of the respiratory form of EHV-1 infection, which may help
prevent the neurologic form. Transmission of the virus can occur via coughing or
sneezing over a distance of up to 35 feet as well as by direct contact with
infected horses, feed and equipment.
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