Disease Alerts

Updates on current disease outbreaks are listed here as they occur and will include the date listed, disease name, location and current status. Specific premises will not be named but the general location by town, county and state will be listed. When locations, events or horses are at risk they will be listed. Updates will be posted as they are received.



Equine Herpesvirus- Neurologic
Jefferson County, KY
Outbreak Identifier: 5434
Alert ID: 2821
December 01, 2022
Outbreak Update

Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Number Confirmed: 5;
Number Exposed: 8;
Facility Type: Racing Facility (not currently racing) 
Comments: Update 12/1/22: Effective immediately, Churchill Downs will restrict movement out of the racetrack's backside until further notice. The restriction has been made out of an abundance of caution in light of five confirmed positive tests for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1). The decision follows Tuesday's news of an index case which led to the immediate implementation of Churchill Downs' biosecurity protocols including quarantine of the affected barn and additional testing of the 13 exposed horses in that barn. Churchill Downs is working closely and in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture to ensure maximum effectiveness of its health and safety protocols throughout the management of this process. The five additional horses that have tested positive for EHV-1 are asymptomatic but have been successfully isolated away from the affected barn where they will await a series of further testing. Continued testing of the horses with potential of exposure and those of the affected trainers is underway.;
Previous Alerts: 2820