Texas, Arkansas bar racehorses from Louisiana

The racetracks in neighboring states are beginning to react to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture’s decision to help the New Orleans Fair Grounds implement “stringent biosecurity protocols” to help reduce exposure to the non-neuropathogenic strain of equine herpes virus. Two of its barns were quarantined last month after five of the 72 residing horses tested positive for what is referred to as “EHV-1.” Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says the procedures being used in New Orleans are similar to those that were used by the Kentucky equine industry when it was forced to control its own EHV-1 outbreaks in recent years. Strain also says the protocols were designed to have a minimal impact on the Fair Grounds’ racing schedule, but an economic impact is beginning to surface. According to CBS Sports, the Texas Racing Commission directed all of its racetracks and licensed training facilities last week to prohibit ship-ins from the Fair Grounds. Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., has taken similar action, lumping in Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs as well. Both policies will be revisited when a new round of EHV-1 test results are released later this month by the state. Dr. Tom David, Louisiana State Racing Commission medical director, says symptoms of equine herpes virus most commonly include fever and an upper respiratory infection. There can likewise be lethargy, loss of appetite, nasal discharge and a cough. In very severe cases, horses can even suffer a loss of coordination and an inability to stand. The disease can be fatal and spreads through the air. David says the virus poses no danger to humans. — Jeremy Alford