Fanduel Sportsbook And Horse Racing, formerly known as Fairmount Park, has been placed under a 21-day quarantine after confirmed cases of equine herpesvirus, according to published reports.
Racing is not currently underway at the Collinsville, Ill., track. Racing is scheduled to resume April 16. Its backstretch still houses horses in training.
James Watkins, president of the Illinois Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, did not immediately return a message from BloodHorse left with the IHBPA seeking details of the quarantine and equine herpesvirus cases. He told Daily Racing Form that a horse was euthanized after showing symptoms of the disease Dec. 4. A separate horse from the same barn exhibited a fever and was moved to a quarantine barn, and another horse then tested positive, the Form reported, citing Watkins.
Horses not in the affected barns have been allowed to train and those from the affected barns will be allowed to train Dec. 11 as a group, Watkins informed Daily Racing Form.
Horses with the equine herpesvirus can experience neurological problems, lethargy, and fever, while many show only mild symptoms or are asymptomatic carriers. The virus can spread through the air, contaminated equipment, clothing, and hands.
Quarantines and shipping restrictions are meant to reduce the chance of spread among the horse population. Quarantines typically remain in place on horses until veterinary officials receive follow-up testing that no horses are positive after a designated period of time.
