One Horse Tests Positive for EHV-1 at Remington Park

A horse stabled at Remington Park has been confirmed by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry as testing positive for Equine Herpesvirus-1. As of Nov. 15, the affected barn has been placed under quarantine.

"ODAFF was informed last night of a positive EHV-1 test sample from a horse at Remington Park," said Dr. Michael Herrin, ODAFF assistant state veterinarian. "This horse was euthanized Tuesday evening, and the barn it was housed in is currently under quarantine."

Clinical signs for EHV-1 in horses vary to include fever, incoordination, and weakness or paralysis of the hind limbs. Additionally, this disease can cause rhinopneumonitis, a respiratory disease usually found in young horses, and abortion in broodmares. A small percentage of horses infected with the non-neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 can develop neurological signs consistent with Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy.

Although it is not transmissible to humans, EHV-1 is highly contagious between equines and is generally passed via aerosol transmissions, such as coughing and sneezing, as well as contact with nasal secretions.

The barn's quarantine is currently set for 14 days. All horses remaining in the quarantined barn will remain at Remington Park and will be monitored daily for symptoms. Additional testing will be taken if fevers arise. Standard protocol for containing EHV-1 includes sanitizing, wearing protective clothing when entering a quarantine, and limiting access to infected areas.