Sunland Park Racetrack shuts down after virus found in horses

Sunland Park Racetrack shuts down after virus found in horses KFOX 14 By Jessica Gonzalez Sunland Park Racetrack was shut down Friday after at least five horses were found to have the equine herpes virus, Sunland Park Racetrack officials said. The racetrack is expected to be closed for at least two weeks, according to officials. The casino will remain open. The strain found in the horses was EHV-1, which is not transmissible to humans. Officials said the first confirmation of the virus was made Thursday. The Livestock Board restricted horse movement to and from certain areas, which include the racetrack as well as training centers Frontera, Jovi and Lazy S. The horses affected are being isolated and the areas the horses may have come in contact with are being cleaned thoroughly and disinfected. The strain found in the horses is said to cause severe neurological problems in horses. EVH-1 is contagious and spread through contact, either directly from horse to horse, or indirectly via human handlers, feed and water buckets, grooming gear, riding tack and trailers, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners. “It’s mandatory that, twice a day, the temperature of every horse on the grounds is taken, logged and reported to both Sunland Park and to the Racing Commission,” said Dan Fick, acting director of the New Mexico Racing Commission. Fever is a major indicator of EHV-1. Samples are being taken from horses suspected of having the virus. Those samples are being submitted for testing at New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Diagnostic Services laboratory in Albuquerque. In addition to state government’s regulatory measures, Sunland Park is taking its own steps to control the potential spread of the virus. “In the interest of equine safety, Sunland Park Racetrack is postponing racing for an initial period of 14 days,” Rick Baugh, general manager of Sunland Park Racetrack, said. Horsemen who had horses at Sunland Park Racetrack are advised to contact their veterinarian if they have questions.