History
During the spring of 1984 a virus identified
by the University of Kentucky's Department
of Veterinary Science as Equine Arteritis
Virus was threatening Kentucky's thoroughbred
population. As a result of the continued
spread of the virus amongst Central
Kentucky's thoroughbred farms, all breeding
of thoroughbred horses was ordered stopped
during the early summer months by The
Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
The Department of Agriculture, working cooperatively with the University of Kentucky's Department of Veterinary Science, worked throughout the fall and winter to determine the extent of the recent outbreak. Prior to the 1985 breeding season all thoroughbred stallions were tested under the supervision of the Department. All stallions found to be positive to the serology test were quarantined while additional testing was conducted to determine if they in fact were carrier's of the arteritis virus.
After a short delay, non-affected stallions were
permitted to begin breeding in 1985.
Stallions which were not vaccinated
against the virus were monitored by
serology testing every 14 days throughout
the course of the breeding season to
insure that the virus was not being
spread.
Stallions which were found to be shedding arteritis
virus were permitted to return to breeding
midway through the '85 breeding season.
These stallions were heavily regulated
by the Department of Agriculture to
insure that they were bred only to qualified
mares which were approved to be bred
by the State Veterinarian's Office while
following a stringent post breeding
protocol consisting of isolation and
quarantine.
Today there are no known thoroughbred shedding stallions standing at stud in Kentucky. The Department of Agriculture requires that all thoroughbred stallions standing at stud in Kentucky be vaccinated annually against Equine Arteritis Virus. Stallions which are standing their first season in Kentucky are required to be tested prior to vaccination in order to determine that they are not affected with the arteritis virus. As of today the only commercially approved vaccine for use is manufactured by Fort Dodge Laboratories and is called ARVAC®.
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture, working cooperatively with the Jockey Club maintains a stallion roster to insure that all stallions standing in Kentucky are properly vaccinated in accordance with the regulations.
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