Officials from the Maryland Department of Agriculture proclaimed yesterday (March 8) that “test results on the two horses isolated in the detention barn at Pimlico [race track] and the two horses from Laurel [race track] barn 9  that are isolated in a barn at Bowie [race track] are negative for equine herpesvirus, bringing to  closure the entire outbreak in Maryland.”

Consequently, agriculture officials have lifted the “general animal hold order” at Bowie and Pimlico. All four horses can resume normal activity.

On March 4, department officials also released the hold order on eventer Kim Meier-Morani’s barn in Worton, Md., where two horses had to be humanely destroyed in January.  All 17 horses at the farm have now tested negative, with the last clinical sign reported there on Feb. 4.

“These negative tests bring this EHV-1 outbreak to official closure in Maryland as there are no reported signs of the virus anywhere in the state,” said State Veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus.

“This is good news for all of Maryland’s horse owners and related businesses,” Hohenhaus added. “We thank all parties involved for their patience and diligence in stopping the spread of the virus.  While this event is now over, we remind all horse owners that a robust vaccination program is important, as well as adopting a good standard of biosecurity protocols for their farms and horses.  We recommend that horse owners consult with their private veterinarian on which vaccines and biosecurity measures are most appropriate for a particular horse and farm.”