No new herpesvirus illnesses in past week at Parx

The equine herpesvirus quarantine at Parx Racing put in place Jan. 11 will remain in force through Jan. 30, but no other horses in Barn 27 have spiked a fever or become ill in the past week, according to David Osojnak, the track's director of racing.

A horse stabled in Barn 27 with trainer Ramon Martin came down with a temperature Jan. 8 and was sent to the Mid-Atlantic Equine Center in Ringoes, N.J. That horse tested positive for the non-neurological strain of the equine herpesvirus and was placed in the facility's isolation center.

According to Osojnak, he was informed Friday by Parx veterinarian Kathy Picciano that the horse who became ill has not had a fever the past six days and is doing well.

During the quarantine, the temperatures of the horses in Barn 27, which includes horses trained by Mario Dominguez and Penny Pearce, have been closely monitored, according to Osojnak.

Horses stabled in Barn 27 are not allowed to train during the quarantine and are segregated from the general horse population.

During the quarantine, horses stabled at Parx are not permitted to leave the grounds. Any horse that ships to Parx must stay at the track until the quarantine is lifted.

"Fingers crossed, if no other horses get sick, the backstretch will be reopened on the 31st," Osojnak said.

The equine herpesvirus is contagious and can cause respiratory problems in horses. The more serious neurological strain can sometimes be fatal.

In recent years, there have been almost annual winter outbreaks of the equine herpesvirus in the Mid-Atlantic region. Last winter there were two equine herpesvirus quarantines at Belmont Park and one at Laurel Park.

Parx had quarantines in 2013, 2014, and 2016. Four horses died from the illness during the 2016 outbreak.

Parx is continuing to race on its normal Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday schedule during the quarantine.