2 Southern California racehorses test positive for EHV-1. Polo clubs toinstitute entry ban on any potentially exposed horses.OK, stop and don't panic - just read on...Two Thoroughbred racehorses, one stabled at Santa Anita Racetrack in Los Angeles County and onefrom a farm in Ramona in San Diego County, have tested positive for the non-neuropathicstrain of Equine Herpes Virus - 1. These horses had exposure to each other previously and havebeen isolated and are being treated and seem to be recovering nicely. The California Departmentof Food and Agriculture and the California Horse Racing Board officials feel this infection iscontained, although ongoing, and is being closely monitored. Racing is continuing as usual atSanta Anita.After discussions with the polo managers at both Eldorado and Empire Polo Clubs, even thoughchances for infection here are minimal, we are instituting an entry ban on any horse that has beenstabled at either the Ramona farm or at Santa Anita within the last 30 days. Any green horseprospect off the track or coming from any farm that may have had exposure to any of thesehorses in any way will not be allowed on the polo grounds or stabling area for the remainder ofthe season effective immediately. If you have any polo horse that has pastured or stabled withhorses that may have been to Santa Anita in the last 30 days we ask that they not be brought onthe grounds either. Again, this is just a mutually agreed precautionary response. We have noongoing or potentially ongoing infection here.While this minor episode may be over quickly, we ask everyone to police themselves and try notto bring any potentially exposed horse to the polo grounds. Please do not panic or overreact aswe have no knowledge that we have had any crossover of horses at this point. If anyone has anyinformation to the contrary, please advise me or the polo managers as soon as possible. Shouldconditions change, we will be sure to update everyone.Thank you for your cooperationMichael Manno, DVM, MS