Biosecurity protocols lifted from fair grounds

After several long weeks of dealing with press coverage about the potential of its horses having a non-neuropathogenic strain of equine herpes virus known as EHV-1, the New Orleans Fair Grounds is back in business as usual, for the most part. Two of the fair grounds’ barns were quarantined in December after five of the 72 horses residing there tested positive for EHV-1. Thoroughbred racetracks in neighboring states reacted strongly, prohibiting ship-ins from the New Orleans track and others in the region in some instances. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the five thoroughbred racehorses that were directly exposed and initially tested positive have been released from all quarantines and restrictions. “The planned protocols were put in place early to contain potential spread,” Strain says. “We’re glad the safety measures proved effective.” All 72 horses at the fair grounds underwent nasal swabbing and blood testing. The 66 that initially tested negative were quarantined in the barns until subsequent testing showed no trace of the virus in the latter part of last month. The Louisiana procedures were similar to those used by the Kentucky equine industry, which has controlled outbreaks of EHV-1 in recent years, Strain adds. Experts in EHV-1 have indicated, however, that as many as 5% percent of horses will normally carry some variant of the virus in their system. Physical symptoms of the EHV-1 virus include fever, upper respiratory infection, nasal discharge, cough, lethargy and loss of appetite. Eric Halstrom, fair grounds vice president and general manager of racing, says as a safety precaution, measures implemented for horses shipping in to the fair grounds will remain in place through the remainder of the racing season. The measures, as recommended by Strain’s department, include a normal temperature reading upon arrival, records of a certified veterinary inspection within the last 48 hours and a herpes vaccination from not less than 14 and not more than 90 days ago. – Jeremy Alford