Nov 18, 2008 6:24 pm US/Eastern
Horse Euthanized After Equine Herpes Outbreak
LAUREL, Md. (WJZ) ―
-
-
A virus which virtually quarantined Maryland's horse racing industry two years ago has surfaced again.
CBS
A virus which virtually quarantined Maryland's horse racing industry two years ago has surfaced again.
As
Alex DeMetrick reports, a horse has been euthanized at Laurel Park. Now the wait is on to see if others might become infected.
The race season is on at Laurel Park and horses will run as scheduled--except for those in barn one, which is under quarantine after an outbreak of equine herpes virus.
"Which has a particular affinity for nerve tissue and that nerve liking virus does cause neurologic disease of a fairly severe nature in horses," said Dr. Guy Hohenhaus.
It's so serious that the infected horse had to be euthanized. Twenty-five other thoroughbreds in the barn have tested negative for the virus, as have 31 lead ponies.
In 2006, the herpes virus hit Pimlico, Laurel and Bowie race tracks. Six animals died and horses were locked down. No one would raise a Maryland horse anywhere.
It took two months for the virus to clear and that experience brought swift action this time. But it will take two weeks of testing at least to declare the outbreak over.
Only the first barn remains quarantined. Laurel Park is open to other horses for racing, but they must stay for two weeks until the barn is cleared.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Jewish Celebrities
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
