Part of Turf Paradise under quarantine due to equine herpes outbreak
Feb 15, 2018, 4:41 AM | Updated: 11:16 am
(Facebook/Turf Paradise)
(Facebook/Turf Paradise)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Agriculture has ordered a quarantine of a barn at a Phoenix racetrack after one of its horses was diagnosed with equine herpes.
According to the department, a neurotropic form of the equine herpes virus was found in one horse housed at the track.
It is unknown whether any other horses were exposed to the virus.
An outbreak broke out around the same time last year, causing a quarantine that lasted for 21 days.
The Arizona Department of Agriculture state veterinarian and the Arizona Department of Gaming Division of Racing are working with Turf Paradise officials to quarantine and monitor any other potentially exposed horses, a press release said.
Related: Horse racing at Phoenix’s Turf Paradise returns in October
The track is also requiring horse owners and personnel to practice “strict biosecurity measures” during the quarantine.
Equine Herpes Virus -1, the type of virus that was diagnosed, is “highly contagious” among horses but poses no threat to humans.
Symptoms include fever, nasal discharge, wobbly gait, hind-end weakness, dribbling of urine and diminished tail tone.
The virus can be spread through the air, by contact and by with nasal secretions on equipment, tack, feed and other surfaces. Caretakers can also spread the virus if their hands, clothing, shoes or vehicles are contaminated.
Horse owners who suspect their horses are showing signs of the virus or have any questions about the quarantine should contact the state veterinarian’s office at 602-542-4293.
