Woodbine Racetrack Confirmed EHM Cases Reach 27
The outbreak began May 16 when two 2-year-old Thoroughbreds in the track’s Barn 12 tested positive for the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1). | Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/The Horse
On May 26, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, Canada (AGCO), received updated test results indicating the measures officials enacted to contain and mitigate the equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM) outbreak at Woodbine Racetrack have limited cases to a single barn.

The outbreak began May 16 when two 2-year-old Thoroughbreds in the track’s Barn 12 tested positive for the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).

On May 21, a total of 20 horses were confirmed positive for the neuropathic strain of EHV-1, and all were either isolated or sent to Ontario Veterinary College for treatment. One horse was euthanized due to the severity of its clinical signs.

Following subsequent testing, AGCO has lifted all training restrictions on horses in Barns 33 and 35, as well as nonisolated horses in Barn 11, where two horses remain isolated. Training restrictions for horses residing in other barns remain in place. All horses in Barn 10 were retested and received negative results; all horses in Barn 12 were also retested, with two additional horses testing positive. Confirmed cases now number 27

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