Commission vet confirms Rockingham is Strangles-free
August 4, 2008,by Paul Ramlow, USTA Internet News Manager
Editor’s Note: Dr. Matthew Gerard Levesque, the New Hampshire Racing Commission Veterinarian, has issued the following statement, in regards to the recent reports of an outbreak of Strangles at Rockingham Park.
Three weeks ago we (The New Hampshire Racing Commission) had concerns of a possible health issue at Rockingham Park and decided to isolate a small group of horses.
During the past weeks we have tested the horses I considered at risk and received three consecutive negative cultures for Streptococcus equi (Strangles) from the horses in questions.
During the past three weeks, or the entire meet for that matter, we have had no clinical cases of the disease here at Rockingham Park.
As of July 31, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., the isolated horses were allowed back into the general population.
We are confident that all horses at Rockingham Park present no risk to any other racetrack in the country.
If you have any questions please feel free to call me at (954) 290-4976.
Sincerely,
Dr. Matthew Gerard Levesque (NH Commission Veterinarian)
- All restrictions lifted on Rockingham horses (Friday, August 01, 2008)
As of Friday, August 1, the chief veterinarian of the State of New Hampshire, Dr. Stephen Crawford, and New Hampshire Racing Commission Veterinarian Dr. Matt Levesque have lifted all restrictions on horses stabled at Rockingham Park.
- Equine health clearance in Delaware (Tuesday, August 05, 2008)
The Delaware Harness Racing Commission has lifted any prohibitions and will accept entries on eligible horses that have stabled, trained, raced and/or schooled at Rockingham Park since June 1, 2008.