Horses Quarantined In Raytown Equestrian Park, MO.

Potentially Fatal Disease Confirmed At Raytown Equestrian Park

POSTED: 9:36 pm CDT June 13, 2009

UPDATED: 12:14 pm CDT June 14, 2009

RAYTOWN, Mo. -- State agriculture officials have issued a quarantine order for the Raytown Equestrian Park.

A horse stabled at the facility in the 9400 block of Raytown Road was found to have a potentially fatal disease, officials said.
A 7-year-old quarter horse tested positive for equine piroplasmosis. The infected horse was admitted to a Kansas animal hospital earlier this month.
On June 6, the Raytown facility where the horse was stabled was quarantined. On June 9, other horses there were examined. One day later, the original horse was confirmed to have the disease.


Equine piroplasmosis is an infectious tick-borne disease that can cause fever, weight loss and even death in horses. It spreads mainly through ticks, but can also be spread if a trainer uses a dirty needle. It is of no danger to humans, officials said.
The Raytown facility holds more than 60 horses. All are being tested. Missouri state agriculture officials will visit Tuesday to investigate.
In the meantime, no horses may come or go from this facility.