Schenectady, NY — On Jan. 28, the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine identified a moderate positive equine herpes virus-1 (EHV-1) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) finding in a nasal/pharyngeal wash obtained from an unraced 2-year-old Standardbred colt stabled at the Saratoga Gaming & Raceway.

The following signs have been noted in the positive horse and four other horses from the same barn: fever, mild coughing, and mild nasal discharge. None of the horses are showing any adverse neurologic signs.

The affected horses are housed in Barn 29, which has been placed under quarantine on Jan. 29 and will remain under quarantine for 21 days after the last signs of EHV-1 infection have been evidenced.

During the quarantine period, these horses will not be permitted to leave the Saratoga Gaming & Raceway.

Exposed horses from Barn 29 that are well enough to train may be authorized to train, at the end of a day after all other horses have left the training track.

All licensed trainers and veterinarians are reminded that EHV-1 infection is an immediately reportable disease when found in any horse stabled in New York. In the event of a positive laboratory test finding for EHV-1 infection in a horse stabled at a NYS racetrack, licensees are required to immediately report the finding to the N.Y.S. Department of Agriculture and Markets (DA&M) and racetrack officials, the stewards or presiding judge and the Equine Medical Director.

To locate a DA&M veterinarian, visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/animals/animal-industry-veterinarians-inspectors.

For further information on equine herpes virus infection, visit the Equine Disease Communication Center at http://www.equinediseasecc.org.

The Commission and DAM will provide additional updates as necessary.