Horsemen talked with officials from Hawthorne Race Course and the Illinois Department of Agriculture Nov. 19 on a conference call about the continued efforts to contain an equine herpes outbreak at the Stickney, Ill. track.

On Nov. 16, track officials confirmed that a horse who died Nov. 14 and one other ailing horse had tested positive for EHV-1. The deceased horse is the third confirmed death from EHV-1 during the outbreak that started last month. The ailing horse is one of six that has been moved into an isolation area in barn K2 for further monitoring.

Track officials said the purpose of isolating horses is to be able to monitor them while allowing the more than 1,800 remaining healthy horses residing on the premises to continue racing.

In a statement, Hawthorne assistant general manager Jim Miller said meetings with grooms and hotwalkers were conducted Nov. 18 to explain proper cleanliness and hygiene because cleanliness among those in contact with horses daily is of the utmost importance. A notice in both English and Spanish also was handed out