FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

For more information contact:
Bill Clary

(502) 564-4696

STATE VETERINARIAN LIFTS QUARANTINE ON CHURCHILL BARN

FRANKFORT, Ky. — State Veterinarian Dr. Robert C. Stout has lifted the quarantine on a barn at Churchill Downs after determining that the remaining horses in the barn were not infected with equine herpes virus.

Dr. Stout imposed the quarantine on Barn 47 in late October after a horse trained by David Carroll tested positive for equine herpes virus. Today’s order lifting the quarantine releases the remaining Carroll horses. Horses on the other side of the barn trained by Al Stall were released last week.

Results of testing conducted on nasal swabs and blood samples taken Tuesday from the Carroll horses were negative for equine herpes virus, said Rusty Ford, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s equine program manager. Based on the testing, an evaluation of the horses and the barn, and consultation with attending veterinarians, Dr. Stout concluded that the Carroll horses do not have an active equine herpes virus infection and had minimal opportunity to be exposed to the virus.

The 3-year-old thoroughbred that was infected continues to improve at a Lexington equine hospital, Ford said.

Equine herpes virus occurs primarily in younger horses. It can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact with an infected horse or contaminated material. It also may be spread through the air when a horse coughs. Symptoms most commonly include fever and an upper respiratory infection. Symptoms also may include lethargy, loss of appetite, a nasal discharge and a cough. In severe cases, horses can lose coordination and become unable to stand. The virus can be fatal.

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