FanDuel racetrack in Illinois is placed under 21-day quarantine due to two confirmed cases of highly contagious disease

FanDuel racetrack in East St. Louis, formerly known as Fairmount Park Racetrack, is under quarantine for 21 days, at least, after two cases of equine herpesvirus, a highly contagious disease, were confirmed. 

The quarantine, which will temporarily halt any horse from leaving the grounds, was put into place on Monday after a horse showed symptoms of the disease, according to Daily Racing Form.

That sick horse was later euthanized, said Jim Watkins, the executive director of the Illinois Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

Another horse had to be moved to a quarantine barn after being diagnosed with a fever, while a different horse tested positive, Watkins added. 

Both horses are now asymptomatic, he confirmed. Equine herpesvirus (EHV) is not transmissible to humans.

The venue, formerly known as the Fairmount Park Racetrack, is home to around 400 horses

‘Trainers should monitor their horses for any symptoms and immediately contact their attending vet should any raise,’ disclosed the racetrack’s president and general manager, Melissa Helton. 

There are approximately 400 horses on FanDuel’s ground, according to Watkins. 

The racetrack is open for training year-round. 

Racetrack officials warned no horses will be allowed to leave their stables for 21 days on Dec. 6

Its last meet ended on November 18. 

Its next one is scheduled for April.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the Belmont Stakes, which is the final leg of U.S. thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, will be held at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York next year due to construction at the race’s Long Island home.

The announcement was made by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, whose Executive Budget earlier this year included a proposal for the New York Racing Association to modernize Belmont Park, including an upgrade to the 117-year-old track.