The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) announced late Wednesday afternoon that the restrictions on horses under quarantine as a preventative measure for Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) in Ontario have been lifted.
As of May 28, 2013, there have been no further confirmed cases of EHV-1 in Ontario since the restrictions on racing were imposed on May 17.
At the request of the ORC, Dr. Scott Weese, an expert in infectious disease control at the Ontario Veterinary College, conducted an examination of the conditions at the Campbellville Training Centre. With his recommendation and expert opinion, the restrictions on horses that reside or resided in the Upper Barn of the Campbellville Training Centre are lifted effective immediately. This barn has had no affected horses in the recent EHV-1 outbreak.
Barring any further clinical cases, the horses housed in the Lower Barn, which housed the affected horses, will be allowed to enter into races (make entries) and physically attend Ontario racetracks on June 4, 2013. Trainers of these horses must continue to monitor and record temperatures twice daily and report any fevers to their licensed ORC vet.
Veterinarians with patients on the farm have reported that they have not attended any sick horses since the initial cases and the temperature records of the horses in this barn show no fevers have occurred since then.
Barring any further clinical cases, the horses at Les Cedres will be allowed to enter into races (make entries) and physically attend Ontario racetracks on June 4, 2013, or when the Quebec authority lifts their sanctions, whichever is later.
Due to the infectious and serious nature of this disease, these measures have been taken to ensure that Ontario’s equine athletes are protected.
For more information or to speak with Dr. Duncan or Dr. Chambers, please call 1-855-261-6821.
(With files from ORC)
