BALTIMORE -- Quarantines on two barns at Pimlico Race Course
have been lifted after sensitive tests did not find any traces of
the equine herpes virus that killed three horses at the home of the
Preakness Stakes, state agriculture officials said Tuesday.
Every horse in Barns 5 and 8 tested negative using polymerase
chain reaction testing, which can detect the DNA of the herpes
virus in blood samples. Two other Pimlico barns remain under state
hold orders.
A hold order was issued for Barn 5 on Jan. 5, three days after
News Reporter, a 5-year old stabled in the barn, was euthanized due
to the virus. Six horses from the barn were moved into detention in
Barn 8 after showing signs of the virus.
Horses in Barn 5 can now train with the general population and
begin running at nearby Laurel Park on Saturday.
"After 31 days we have some truly positive news at Pimlico and
feel that we are turning the corner there," said State
Veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus.
Maryland Jockey Club Chief Operating Officer Lou Raffetto said
he plans on lifting a voluntary course-wide quarantine on Wednesday
if no new cases are discovered.
Fourteen Pimlico-based horses are expected to run at Laurel on
Wednesday, Raffetto said.
The virus causes upper respiratory infection and in extreme
cases, neurological symptoms that may affect a horse's ability to
walk and run. Equine herpes does not affect humans, health
officials have said.
Besides the Pimlico quarantine, several states have banned the
shipment of horses to and from Maryland. The outbreak also forced
Laurel to cancel its Sunday cards for two straight weekends and
reschedule a pair of Grade 2 sprints -- the Barbara Fritchie
Breeders' Cup Handicap (Feb. 18) and the General George Breeders'
Cup Handicap (Feb. 20).
State officials took nasal swabs Monday on horses being held at
Barn 6 and plan on taking swabs of horses in Barn A on Thursday. At
Laurel Park, where a filly was euthanized Jan. 26, Barn 9 is under
a Hold Order through Thursday, Feb 16.
In addition, all 22 lead ponies working the current Laurel
winter meeting have tested negative for the equine herpes virus.
The horses did not show any signs of the disease, but were tested
proactively.
"It will take time and continued diligence and patience as we
work through a step-by-step, science-based process that will make
sure all horses test negative before the Hold Orders will be
lifted," said Hohenhaus.