Barn under quarantine at Mahoning Valley due to equine herpesvirus

A barn at Mahoning Valley Race Course in Youngstown, Ohio, has been placed under quarantine after a horse tested positive for equine herpesvirus, according to state horsemen’s officials.

Although the horse has not displayed the neurological symptoms that are characteristic of the disease, the horse tested positive for equine herpesvirus after running a fever for more than 24 hours, according to Dave Basler, executive director of the Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Horses can test positive for equine herpesvirus without displaying symptoms or being afflicted by the disease.

Because of the positive test, Barn 10 at Mahoning Valley has been placed under quarantine and is being monitored by security, Basler said. Horses are still being allowed to ship in and out of Mahoning Valley, though all shippers are being required to ship in to the receiving barn, rather than being allowed to take an empty stall in a trainer’s barn, according to Basler.

“It’s all preliminary at this point,” Basler said. “Other than Barn 10, there’s no lockdown.”

Mahoning Valley officials did not immediately respond to a voice message.

Some tracks have already placed restrictions on horses shipping to and from Mahoning Valley due to the positive test, including Hawthorne Racecourse in Chicago.

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