Standardbred yearling tests positive for strangles at CDP

A horse has tested positive for a serious, contagious infection at Red Shores at the Charlottetown Driving Park (CDP).

The Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission (APHRC) was informed on Nov. 6 of a confirmed case of strangles in a yearling standardbred.

Testing of other horses in the impacted stable at the CDP were expected to be completed Monday. The stable has been quarantined and disinfected. Strangles is a highly contagious upper respiratory tract infection caused by a bacteria that often infects the lymph nodes around the jaw, causing them to become swollen.

APHRC says the CDP is following the applicable protocol as recommended by the attending veterinarian and the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission.

Lee Drake, manager of racing, brands and broadcasting with Red Shores, says the infected yearling has been removed from the grounds and is being quarantined in a different farm.

“We have everything in place,’’ he says.

“Precautions were taken … everybody is doing what we need to do in these situations.’’

The APHRC says it will monitor the situation and will report any further developments, adding horsepeople are reminded to remain vigilant and institute appropriate biosecurity measures and should consult their veterinarians for advice.

Racing will continue as scheduled with the next card on Saturday. The season is set to conclude at the end of January in Charlottetown. The racing season ended on Sunday in Summerside.