New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Memo

To: Veterinarians

From: Nancy E. Halpern, D.V.M., State Veterinarian

Date: October 30, 2006

Re: EHV-1 Update II

     Of the 21 suspect EHV-1 cases, quarantined at Monmouth Park, 7 horses have been confirmed positive. All 21 horses are in isolations at quarantined Monmouth Park Racetrack. Veterinarians throughout the state are reminded to following proper biosecurity procedures at all times, and to report any suspicious cases to this office immediately. Following are the provisions of quarantine for Monmouth Park, as issued on October 26, 2006 and modified on October 28, 2006.

Definitions

For purposes of this quarantine, “horse” means all equine species.

For purposes of the quarantine, “EHV” means Equine Herpes Virus.

For purposes of the quarantine, “quarantine barn” means a barn in which a horse was diagnosed with the neuropathogenic strain of EHV during the quarantine period, and which has been so designated by the NJDA.

For purposes of this quarantine, “NJDA” means the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

For purposes of this quarantine, “Department” means the New Jersey Department of Agriculture.

The following measures are to be implemented immediately:

1. Affected horses, as determined by the NJDA, and those exposed, will be released from quarantine by NJDA after no clinical signs of disease are observed for 21 days, the requirements of this quarantine order have been complied with, and the horses test negative for the neuropathogenic strain of EHV of the disease for 21 days.

2. Horses with no known direct exposure to affected or contact horses, as determined by NJDA, and housed apart from the quarantine barns, may be released from quarantine if no clinical signs of disease are observed for 12 days from October 26, 2006, and the requirements of this quarantine order have been complied with.

3. The requirements of this quarantine are as follows.

     a. Biosecurity protocols, as set forth below, will be followed for all procedures and activities on the quarantine premises.

     b. Any horse displaying clinical signs of EHV, including fever (102°F or greater), respiratory or neurologic signs shall be isolated immediately from other horses, or placed in quarantine barns.

     c. Quarantine barns will be guarded 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

     d. Horses held in quarantine barns shall have their rectal temperature taken 3 times a day.

          i. Temperatures will be recorded and the attending track veterinarian for those horses will supervise this process.

          ii. Temperature charts will be submitted to Stable Gate office at Monmouth Park by 5 PM, daily.

     e. Horses exposed to another horse with clinical signs shall be tested for the neurologic form EHV, 7 days after the onset of clinical signs in the affected horse.

          i. Samples to be collected for EHV testing include blood in 2-3 EDTA tubes (purple top tube) and nasopharyngeal swabs.

          ii. Samples should be submitted to the University of Kentucky Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center at (859) 253-0571 ext. 163.

     f. Separate personnel and equipment shall be used for horses in the quarantine barns (see biosecurity measures below).

     g. Washing of hands and equipment shall be performed between handling horses.

     h. Quarantine will be maintained for a minimum of 21 days after the clinical signs have resolved from all infected horses and the premises is determined to be free of disease.

     i. Horses from quarantine barns can be exercised under the following conditions:

          i. Horses with elevated temperatures or other clinical signs should not be exercised until released to exercise by the attending track veterinarian.

          ii. Horses appearing without clinical signs may exercise on the track after horses not held in quarantine barns have exercised.

          iii. Gates shall not be used for this purpose.

     j. Horses not held in quarantine barns shall have their rectal temperature taken 2 times a day.

          i. Temperatures will be recorded and the attending track veterinarian for those horses will supervise this process.

          ii. Temperature charts will be submitted to the Stable Gate Office at Monmouth Park by 5 PM, daily.

     k. If a horse in a non-quarantined barn exhibits a temperature of over 102°F, with no known or suspect exposure to a positive horse, and no other clinical signs consistent with EHV, it may return to it’s original barn and the quarantine release time will not be lengthened under the following circumstances:

          i. The horse will be tested for the neuropathogenic strain of EHV within 48 hours at a laboratory approved by the NJDA.

          ii. The State Veterinarian, NJDA determines that the horse is not infected with EHV, based on medical and epidemiological evidence.

     l. Horses from non-quarantine barns may move to the Meadowlands to race under the following conditions.

          i. All horses shall have their rectal temperature taken before shipping to the Meadowlands. Trainers are to submit current temperatures to their attending veterinarian by no later than 11 AM before horses may ship.

          ii. Horses with a temperature above 102.0°F may not ship to the track.

          iii. Horses shipping to the Meadowlands from Monmouth Park shall be held in barns separate from all other inships.

          iv. The only commingling of these horses shall occur during the races.

          v. All starting gates and equipment shall be disinfected between races.

          vi. No ponies will be provided for inships (outside of Monmouth Park) racing at the Meadowlands.

          vii. Inship horses SHALL NOT return to Monmouth Park for quarantine as adding naïve horses to the quarantined population may extend the quarantine period.

          viii. The undercarriage and wheels of all vehicles entering through the stable gate at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands shall be disinfected before entry and upon exit.

          ix. The interior of all horse transport vehicles shall be cleaned and disinfected daily or between shipments when different populations of horses are being transported.

          x. Trainers shall consult with farms and other racetracks regarding this situation before shipping to the Meadowlands for racing to ensure horses may return to their premises.

          xi. Horses racing at the Meadowlands with clinical signs of the neuropathogenic strain of EHV shall be transported back to Monmouth Park for quarantine.

          xii. Horses will be transported individually and will be placed in the quarantine barns when they arrive at Monmouth Park.

A. Biosecurity Measures for Veterinarians:

• Check temperature charts for all horses.
• Collect and submit diagnostic samples for confirmation.
• All horses in a barn or area with an affected horse should be tested 7-12 days after the initial case.
• Horses are retested every 7 - 12 days to monitor disease progression.
• The barn or premise can be released after horses exhibit no clinical signs and test negative for 21 days.
• Contact NJDA, State Veterinarian at 609-292-3965 if you know or suspect a horse is infected with the neuropathogenic strain of EHV.
• When exiting, footbaths should be placed on the exiting door for disinfecting the individual’s outer footwear.

B. Biosecurity Measures for Trainers, Grooms:

• Wear protective outer covering, disposable gloves, rubber boots (covers), etc.
• When leaving barn, protective clothing should remain in barn area in sealed containers.
• When exiting, footbaths should be placed on the exiting door for disinfecting the individual’s outer footwear.
• Disinfect individuals upon entry and exit.
• Complete and maintain temperature logs.
• Temperatures of 102.0 reported to Racing Commission Veterinarian in Charge at the track.
• Temperature of 102.5 reported to State Veterinarian, NJDA.
• Outriders disinfect tack following training hours.
• Disinfectant wipes available for incidental contact.

C. Biosecurity Measures for Facilities:

• The undercarriage and wheels of all vehicles entering through the stable gate at Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands shall be disinfected before entry and upon exit.
• The interior of all horse transport vehicles shall be cleaned and disinfected daily or between shipments when different populations of horses are being transported.
• Secure the quarantine barns with 24-hour/day security.
• Disinfect receiving barn, paddock, starting gate, detention barn and all other commingling areas or common equipment.
• Disinfect barns and other horse contact areas nightly.
• Restrict entrance to listed and essential personnel ONLY – Require sign in and sign out.
• Provide biosecurity signs in English and Spanish.
• Do not allow horses in or out without authorization of State Veterinarian.
• Identify secured areas for affected horses to be relocated.
• Make disinfectant towels available for incidental contact.
• Establish and distribute criteria allowing restricted horses access to track (see above).
• Coordinate track time with horses of similar disease status.
• Implement procedures for movement of horses from barns to track and return.
• Drag track surface following use by restricted horses.
• Prohibit “working from the gate”.
• Minimize contact opportunity for horses from different quarantine barns.
• Minimize exposure from people or equipment moving from areas with horses of similar disease status outside that zone.

D. Biosecurity Measures for Racing Facilities (in addition to C):

• All racing inships go to receiving barn only.
• All Monmouth horses will be housed in barns separate and apart from the inships.
• Disinfect receiving barns.
• Disinfect receiving barn, paddock, detention barn and all other commingling areas nightly.
• Do not share equipment amongst horses unless absolutely necessary and if so, disinfect between horses.
• Head area of starting gate shall be disinfected between races.
• Starting gate shall be disinfected daily following races.
• Assistant Starters wear gloves for each race.
• Horse identifier must use gloves for each racetrack entry – trainer to lifts lip.