EHV-1 Outbreak at Sunland Park Racetrack

By Alondra Gomez

It is an intruder that poses the most serious health risks for domesticated horses, it causes
respiratory disease, and abortions, and it is highly contagious. EHV-1 or the Equine Herpes virus
is one that is present in all horse populations worldwide (AAEP, 2013) and remains dormant in a
horses system until an unknown trigger activates the previously mentioned manifestations of the
disease. Sunland Park Racetrack General manager, Rick Bough says the following about EHV-1,
You never know when its going to come to the surface. The industry doesnt know what
triggers this virus. (KVIA, 2016). Not knowing what induces EHV-1 physiological alterations
should concern horse owners and motivate them to follow basic biosecurity measures that help
reduce the spread and contagion of EHV-1.
Sunland Park Racetrack experienced its first EHV-1 outbreak on January 21st of 2016, by
January 22nd the entire track and neighboring training centers were placed under a quarantine,
and by January 29 a total of 22 horses had contracted the virus. A dilemma that could have been
avoided if horsemen/women had disinfected horse grooming equipment, buckets, tack, and
trailers thoroughly after every use. A daily temperature check could have prevented five horses
from getting euthanized by January 29 as well, for high temperature markings are one of the
signs of EHV-1 contagion. Unfortunately, basic biosecurity measures had not been implemented
before this chaotic virus broke lose.
Biosecurity measures need to be practiced each and every day in order to avoid another
EHV-1 outbreak. Horsemen and horsewomen should understand that frequent veterinary
checkups, daily temperature recordings, and observations regarding a horses behavior is crucial
to their well-being. These are noble animals that depend on their care-takers for their survival,
lets promote responsible horse- ownership in order to work hand and hove with them to their
maximum potential. With a similar thought in mind, Sunland Park Racetrack installed
compliance officers the last week of January to ensure accurate reports form horsemen and
horsewomen on horses temperatures (NMRC, 2016). Those who failed to take and report a
horses temperature would face a $250 fine and/or suspension of their license. What we as
devoted horsemen and horsewomen need are more stringent policies like those required by
Sunland Park Racetrack and the New Mexico Racing Commission that will force us to continue
with basic biosecurity measures meant to prevent outbreaks of such damaging viruses.
More specifically, advocacy programs for EHV-1 should be generated, enforced, and
supported by horse training centers, ranches, and racing tracks in order to distribute information

regarding the virus and its effects. Many horse-owners might not know that EHV-1 affects a
horses neurological functions within a few days, which may become severe and incurable. To
recognize if horses have been afflicted by a disease constant care and attention needs to be
placed on all of them in order to know if a horses typical behavior has changed. Any slight
change in behavior should concern horse-owners or care-takers for that can be an indication of
internal or external discomfort. Individuals who are planning on caring for a horse need to know
about health complications that all horses, domesticated or not, may face throughout their life.
Again, EHV-1 is one of the few viruses that poses the most serious health risks for horses since
its further development turns into Equine herpes virus myeloencephalopathy; a term used for the
neurologic disease associated with EHV infections (aaep,2013). To identify internal discomfort a
person should see if a horse is leaning against any object to regain its balance, if there is any
mucosal discharge released from its eyes or nasal secretions, if a horse lays down and stands
back up more than usual, if a horses temperature exceeds 102 degrees Fahrenheit, or if there are
any changes in a horses behavior.

In conclusion, the Equine Herpes virus will emerge and damage horses health at Sunland
Park Racetrack once again if basic biosecurity measures are not followed. It is important to
continue recording a horses temperature, to wash and disinfect equipment and materials in the
stables, and to observe their behavior. The more this is practiced the less chances there are of
horses contracting the virus and developing severe stages of EHM. Remember, consistency and
knowledge are key to responsible horse-ownership.

References
Horse Health, 2013, FAQ: Regarding Equine Herpesvirus (EHV). Retrieved from
http://www.aaep.org/info/horse-health?publication=753
KVIA.com. (2016). 3 weeks later, Sunland Park Racetrack still trying to contain spread of virus.
Retrieved from http://www.kvia.com/news/3-weeks-later-sunland-park-racetrack-still-trying-tocontain-spread-of-virus/37948704
New Mexico Racing Commission. (2016). Horsemen at Sunland Park Racetrack Urged to Keep
Up Good Work to Control EHV-1 Outbreak. Retrieved from
http://www.nmrc.state.nm.us/uploads/PressRelease/7d08736a630a419bb0586721c0954fb2/Febru
ary_1_Update.pdf