Herpes-Infected Los Alamitos Lead Pony Euthanized

A 10-year-old lead pony stabled at Los Alamitos Race Course has been euthanized after displaying neurological symptoms of the so-called “wild” strain of equine herpesvirus.

The euthanization of the stricken horse has caused the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to mandate a quarantine at Los Alamitos for “all exposed horses,” according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners-run Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC).

“All exposed horses will be monitored for clinical signs and temperatures will be taken twice daily,” the EDCC reported Feb. 21. “CDFA and California Horse Racing Board staff are onsite ensuring biosecurity measures are implemented and will continue to monitor the situation.”

According to the EDCC, the current list of nationwide Thoroughbred-related herpes quarantines includes individual stables at Belmont Park in New York, at both The Thoroughbred Center and Turfway Park in Kentucky, and at Turf Paradise in Arizona.