Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

More Willis Horses Now Negative for EHV-1

May 20, 2007

Horses who were stabled off the Balmoral Park grounds due to an outbreak of EHV-1 have now tested negative for the disease and will return to their home barns this week. 18 of trainer Nelson Willis’ 44-horse stable will be returning to Balmoral, according to Illinois Racing Board state veterinarian David Fitzpatrick. Those horses were removed from the Balmoral Park backstretch -- Willis’ training base -- in late April following an outbreak of Equine Viral Herpes (EHV-1) in his barn.

“Willis has 19 horses who have tested negative for the affliction throughout this time, that have remained here at Balmoral,” Fitzpatrick said. “The other 18 who will be returning will be stabled in a barn by themselves at the opposite end of the racetrack, just as a precaution. They are part of the group that initially tested positive, but have been through the quarantine period and have now tested negative.”

That leaves only six horses trained by Willis who are still stabled off-site.

“Those six previously tested positive for EHV-1 and we will continue to monitor them and continue to retest them until all test negative,” Fitzpatrick added.

EHV-1 is a global equine disease to which nearly all horses ages 2 and older have been exposed. Following the initial exposure, EHV-1 has the ability to develop into an inapparent, latent infection. It can therefore reside silently in horses as a persistent infection, providing a reservoir for continual transmission of the virus.

“Our main priority is to have all the Willis horses test completely clean,” Fitzpatrick said.

All horses stabled at both Balmoral and Maywood Parks were required by the Illinois Racing Board (IRB) to be vaccinated for EHV-1 as of May 1, 2007. Horses without the proper paperwork verifying vaccination are denied racing privileges at both tracks.

“It’s paramount, to control the spread, to have all horses stabled on the grounds or shipping in, to be vaccinated, with no exceptions,” Fitzpatrick said.

EHV-1 is an airborne virus that is easily spread from one horse to another. To date there have been outbreaks in Florida, California and on the East Coast.

“Any horse that stabled at Balmoral or Maywood, or who shipped in to race or train from April 3 through May 24 will be denied the right to travel into Canada,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s important for horsemen to remember that. This is a requirement set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, not by the state. If you weren’t racing during this time, and hadn’t been at these two racetracks for any reason, then you won’t have a problem getting a health certificate to transport your horse.”

Hoosier Park has issued a statement which mandates that any horse stabled at Balmoral Park or who went through the Balmoral Park stable gate from April 23 through May 14 will not be allowed to race until further notice.