HARNESS RACING

An outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) has necessitated the quarantining of trainer Nelson Willis' barn at Balmoral Park.

Illinois Racing Board chief veterinarian David Fitzpatrick, DVM, said four of the Willis' 38 horses tested positive initially, and that his barn was immediately placed in quarantine on April 24 -- with none of his horses being allowed to leave the barn to jog or train.

On April 27, the results of tests on the remaining 34 Willis horses revealed that 16 more were positive.

"He had 20 horses of his 38 test positive," Fitzpatrick said. "The quarantine time is 21 to 28 days after the last clinical signs of EHV-1 appear, and then we'll retest the horses at that time. There's a very good chance that they'll all test negative at the end of the quarantine period."

EHV-1 is an airborne infection that can travel swiftly from one end of a barn to the other, Fitzpatrick said. Horses have flu-like symptoms and usually recover quickly, but in some cases, the virus can cause death.

"Almost all horses have been exposed to EHV-1," Fitzpatrick said. "Herpes can flare up any time. You can minimize the chances of an outbreak by vaccinating, but it doesn't give you 100 percent immunity."

Willis, 63, who's conditioned the winners of more than $5.6 million, said he is stunned by the outbreak..

"What bothers me is we have no idea where these horses picked this up. This is devastating to us," Willis said.

Willis on Friday moved his horses to a barn outside Balmoral, where no horses were currently housed. Fitzpatrick is confident that the EHV-1 virus was isolated to the Willis barn.

"You can never be 100 percent positive, but it's doubtful at this point that the disease has spread," Fitzpatrick said. "The racetracks are also taking precautions by double-disinfecting the entire detention and race paddock areas."

Horsemen stabled at Illinois tracks or shipping in to race now must have proof of EHV-1 vaccinations within 90 days. As well, horses from out-of-state must have a valid health certificate and proof of an EHV-1 vaccination within 90 days, Fitzpatrick said.