Gulfstream barn quarantined due to Swamp Fever

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Track officials announced Thursday they have quarantined Barn 3 at Gulfstream Park after an unidentified horse tested positive for equine infectious anemia, or Swamp Fever, as it is commonly known.

Gulfstream Park general manager Bill Badgett said all remaining horses in the barn have tested negative for local veterinarians, although all must pass similar testing administered by representatives from the Division of Animal Industry for the state Department of Agriculture before they can be entered to run. The results of those tests were expected late this week.

Badgett said that to his knowledge, this is the first case of Swamp Fever reported at a racetrack in South Florida since 1977.

All horses in Barn 3 must train at a specially designated time after the rest of the general population, from approximately 10 to 11 a.m. daily, until the quarantine is lifted, which could take at least two weeks, “if not longer,” according to Dr. Robert O’Neil, director of equine health and safety for The Stronach Group.

Bob Hess, Anthony D’Angelo, Alan Iwinski, and Troy Wismer are among the trainers stabled in Barn 3.

“We are working closely with Dr. William Fish, bureau chief for the Bureau of Disease Control for the Florida Department of Agriculture, whose staff is on the grounds and have been very professional, very hands on, helping us to assure the safety of every horse on the grounds in light of this development,” O’Neil said. “Although horses from Barn 3 will be permitted to race once testing negative, keeping them quarantined during training hours for the time being is a procedure that has proven successful in other areas affected by the same disease.

“So, while these horses could safely return to train with the general population, we have decided to err on the side of caution and stick with a tried-and-true procedure since the safety of our horses remains the No. 1 priority of The Stronach Group.”