Dozens Of Horses Quarantined At Parx After Equine Herpes Outbreak
By John McDevitt
BENSALEM, Pa. (CBS) -- More than six dozen horses at Parx casino-racetrack in Bensalem (Bucks County) have been quarantined because one of them tested positive for an equine herpes virus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has quarantined two barns at the racetrack after one of the horses tested positive for equine herpes virus type 1 on February 15th.
"The clinical signs of equine herpes virus can range from respiratory to neurological impairment," notes Department of Agriculture press secretary Samantha Krepps. "In most instances, the disease is only mildly contagious."
Seventy-four horses inside two barns are under quarantine for 21 days. After that time, testing will be conducted again, and if all the horses are healthy, the restrictions will be lifted.
It's not the first time that horses have been quarantined for the herpes virus at Parx. Last November, a quarantine went into effect and was eventually lifted in January.