Belmont Park EHM quarantine update; Barn 10 at Belmont Park placed under EHM quarantine

By Pat McKenna —-

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The horse at the center of a suspected case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) that led to the quarantine of Barn 10 at Belmont Park was euthanized around mid-day Friday after her condition deteriorated.

The horse, a 4-year-old filly trained by Tom Albertrani, developed a fever on Monday, February 12, and started treatment under the care of a private veterinarian. On Thursday evening, she began exhibiting neurologic symptoms.

That evening, Barn 10 was put under a 21-day quarantine, overseen by Dr. Anthony Verderosa, Director of NYRA’s Veterinary Department, and in consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission.

By Friday, the filly’s health had continued to worsen, and the decision was made to humanely euthanize her. The horse will be taken to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York for a full necropsy.

All standard precautions and biosecurity measures are in place for the quarantine, and at this time no other horses in the barn have developed fever or exhibited symptoms.

All 20 horses currently stabled in Barn 10 will be monitored closely for fever and other signs of illness. During the quarantine period, these horses will not be permitted to run or enter in races. They will have isolated training hours following the normal closure of the training track at 10 a.m.

NYRA will provide additional updates as necessary.

Officials at the New York Racing Association and New York State Gaming Commission have placed Barn 10 at Belmont Park under quarantine after a suspected case of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) developed in that barn. The quarantine is effective immediately.

The affected horse, a 4-year-old filly trained by Tom Albertrani, developed a fever on Monday, February 12 and started treatment under the care of a private veterinarian. On Thursday evening, the filly began exhibiting clear neurologic symptoms.

At 7 p.m. on Thursday, and in consultation with the New York State Gaming Commission, Dr. Anthony Verderosa, Director of NYRA’s Veterinary Department, placed Barn 10 at Belmont Park under a 21-day quarantine. All standard precautions and biosecurity measures are now in place.

At this time, no other horses in the quarantined barn have developed fever or exhibited symptoms.

All 21 horses stabled in Barn 10 will be monitored daily for fever and other signs of illness. During the quarantine period, these horses will not be permitted to run or enter races. They will have isolated training hours following the normal closure of the training track at 10 a.m.

NYRA will provide additional updates as necessary.