In many horses, the first or only sign of EHV-1 infection is fever, which can go undetected. | Photo: Stephanie L. Church/The Horse

On March 26 the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that a 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly from Alameda County, who had exhibited severe neurologic signs of disease, tested positive for equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1).

The California Horse Racing Board confirmed in a separate statement March 26 that the filly had been stabled at Golden Gate Fields racetrack, in Berkeley, and was euthanized on March 23.

“California Department of Food and Agriculture veterinary personnel have inspected the barn and reviewed biosecurity procedures that had been put in place,” the CHRB said. “One barn of exposed horses has been placed under restricted quarantine with enhanced biosecurity measures and twice daily
temperature monitoring. At this time, there is no indication of additional cases