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The Latest: Track Reports Status Of Horse Herpes Outbreak

nmrc.state.nm.us

The latest on an equine herpes outbreak that has infected several dozen horses in New Mexico (all times local):

3:25 p.m.

Officials with Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino say they're seeing fewer positive tests as they work to contain an equine herpes outbreak that has infected dozens of horses in southern New Mexico.

The track's racing director, Dustin Dix, told the New Mexico Racing Commission during a discussion Wednesday in Albuquerque that it's been three days since the last positive test.

So far, some 70 horses have tested positive since the outbreak started last month. A dozen horses have been euthanized as a result.

Dix told commissioners the key is containment. He said tracks across the state should all consider adopting protocols for testing, sanitation and track security to limit the spread.

Sunland Park has proposed resuming live racing Feb. 26, but some at Wednesday's meeting debated whether that's too soon.

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11:05 a.m.

Officials at an Arizona racetrack say tests have turned up negative for two horses from New Mexico that had been shipped to the track following an equine herpes outbreak.

Turf Paradise General Manager Vince Francia says the track received the results Wednesday.

A third horse from New Mexico that was infected had to be euthanized after arriving at the track in January.

The Arizona state veterinarian has scheduled a visit to the track Thursday and Francia expects the quarantine imposed last month to be lifted.

Turf Paradise will be instituting a series of requirements before allowing trainers to bring horses to the track.

Francia says a special area will be set up separate from the main stable area where horses will be held for 48 hours and samples will be taken.

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10:35 a.m.

Officials at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino plan to resume live horse racing later this month despite a continued quarantine stemming from an equine herpes outbreak that has infected several dozen horses.

Track officials traveled to Albuquerque to meet Wednesday with state racing regulators.

The New Mexico Racing Commission scheduled a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to discuss the outbreak and development of a strategic plan. The commission is expected to take up the track's continued operations during another meeting Thursday.

Track officials announced last week that live racing would resume Feb. 26, more than a month after the first horses became ill and races were cancelled.

Some horse owners and trainers have voiced concerns because the quarantine at the track and some local barns has not been lifted.

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