Belmont Barn Under Quarantine for Suspected EHV-1 Case
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Photo: Skip Dickstein
A horse trains at Belmont Park
BLOODHORSE: Precautionary Quarantine of Belmont Park Barn Lifted
New York Racing Association and New York State Gaming Commission officials have placed Barn 37 at Belmont Park under a precautionary quarantine due to a suspected case of Equine Herpesvirus-1.
Freudnme, a 4-year-old colt trained by Chris Englehart, exhibited fever and neurological symptoms the morning of June 27 and has started treatment under the care of a private veterinarian.
Freudnme last raced June 24, 2019, with a runner-up finish in the Ontario County Stakes at Finger Lakes.
Overseen by Dr. Anthony Verderosa, the director of NYRA's veterinary department, in consultation with the NYSGC, the Barn 37 quarantine is effective immediately with standard precautions and biosecurity measures implemented. The length of the quarantine will be determined following the return of test results.
All 37 horses stabled in Barn 37 will be monitored daily for fever and other signs of illness. During the initial quarantine period, these horses will not be permitted to enter races or train among the general horse population. Afebrile/asymptomatic horses stabled in Barn 37 will have isolated training hours following the closure of the training track.
As of Saturday afternoon, no other horses in the quarantined barn exhibited symptoms.
Equine Herpesvirus-1 manifests itself in four diseases according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Health and Plant Inspection Service—a neurological form, respiratory disease, abortion, and neonatal death. No effective vaccine is available to prevent the neurological pathology, known as equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy. The disease can be fatal.