Harness racing canceled at Vernon Downs as a horse tests positive for equine herpes
The management of Vernon Downs and the New York Gaming Commission have closed horse harness racing until further notice after one horse was confirmed positive for Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), according to the racing website, Harnesslink.com.
The five-year-old female horse was put down after a blood sample sent to Cornell University tested positive for the disease, reports Syracuse ABC affiliate 9 WSYR.
Other horses at the barn at Vernon Downs are showing early symptoms of the viral disease and are being treated.
No horses will be allowed to ship into or out of Vernon Downs until further notice, and trainers attempting will be dealt with accordingly.
Fans of harness racing at Vernon Downs were none to pleased that the track didn’t post the closing on the website or on social media, but did post the live simulcast of the Kentucky Derby. One harness racing fan posted on Facebook: “Would have been nice if you posted your own racing was canceled before our family drove all the way there!!! What a waste of time and gas!!!”
According to Veterinary Virology, Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a virus of the family Herpesviridae that causes abortion, respiratory disease and occasionally neonatal mortality in horses.
Initial spread of EHV-1 by a newly introduced horse through direct and indirect contact can lead to abortion and perinatal infection in up to 70 percent of a previously unexposed herd. Abortion usually occurs in the last four months of gestation, two to four weeks after infection of the mare. Perinatal (around the time of birth) infection can lead to pneumonia and death. Encephalitis can occur in affected animals, leading to ataxia, paralysis, and death.
See more about EHV-1 in the Merck Veterinary Manual.
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