Ruidoso confirms case of herpesvirus; horse euthanized
A racehorse based at Ruidoso Downs was confirmed positive for the equine herpesvirus late Friday, the New Mexico track announced on Saturday.
The strain was EHV-1. The horse was euthanized, and the barn at which the animal resided is under quarantine.
Ruidoso is in a mixed meet for Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. The season runs through Labor Day.
“Because the virus was found in just one horse in one barn, right now there is no reason to discontinue racing at Ruidoso Downs,” Shaun Hubbard, general manager of Ruidoso, said in a release. “All I can say is sanitize, sanitize, sanitize and disinfect, disinfect and disinfect. All biosecurity measures must be in place and enacted.
“With everyone’s help and cooperation, I feel adamant we will continue to have a successful meet.”
Sunland Park in New Mexico lost a portion of its meet earlier this year due to an outbreak of the equine herpesvirus.
The virus is contagious among horses. Ruidoso has teamed with the New Mexico Horsemen’s Association to provide disinfectants to horsemen. Those with horses in the quarantined barn, which includes an adjoining stable, have been asked to take their horses’ temperatures in both mornings and evenings.
Ruidoso was conducting live racing as scheduled Saturday.