Assiniboia Downs Quarantined After Horse Tests Positive for Equine Infectious Anemia
Winnipeg, Manitoba – The horse racing community at Assiniboia Downs is facing a temporary setback as the track has been placed under a 45-day quarantine after a horse on the premises tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a serious viral disease that can be fatal to horses.
“It’s an unfortunate incident,” said Assiniboia Downs Chief Executive Officer Darren Dunn. “But it shows our protocols that we have in place work. We follow the direction of the federal regulatory body that was involved. It’s just a very defined process to follow, which hasn’t been difficult. With the timely response that we had, this was controlled very quickly.”
According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the infected horse has been humanely euthanized, and all other horses on the grounds have undergone Coggins testing, which reveals whether a horse is infected with EIA. Fortunately, all the other horses at Assiniboia Downs have tested negative for the virus.
During the quarantine period, horses at Assiniboia Downs will not be able to travel between tracks, but they can continue to race and train as long as their Coggins tests continue to come back negative. A negative Coggins test is commonly required for horses to travel between racetracks, as it helps prevent the spread of EIA.
The Winnipeg Free Press report noted that the quarantine is set to last for 45 days, and a follow-up round of Coggins testing will be conducted on Friday to ensure the virus has been contained.
This news comes as the horse racing season at Assiniboia Downs is in full swing, with bettors and fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming races. While the quarantine may cause some disruption, the track’s management team is committed to following the necessary protocols to protect the health and safety of the horses and the broader racing community.
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