Barn At Buffalo Raceway Quarantined For EHV-1 Exposure

Buffalo Raceway's Barn G is under quarantine, placing 36 horses on restriction after potential equine herpesvirus exposure. The quarantine was announced April 12 via the Equine Disease Communication Center. The alert did not make it clear whether a horse there had tested positive. 

The quarantine, done at the order of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, could be lifted after 14 days if no horses in the barn display symptoms of EHV-1, test positive for EHV-1, or spike temperatures.

Equine herpesvirus, which has various strains, is a common virus which is highly transmissible. EHV-1 may present as respiratory illness but can progress into neurological symptoms, and can be fatal. Outbreaks of EHV-1 are not uncommon at competition venues where there is a large amount of communal stabling. Horsemen dealing with an outbreak are encouraged to put biosecurity measures in place, such as preventing the sharing of equipment between sick and healthy horses, encouraging staff to handle sick horses last, and preventing handlers from going back and forth between sick and healthy horses.

Learn more about EHV-1 from this FAQ sheet from the American Association of Equine Practitioners.