Cape Breton harness racing cancelled over virus fears

Harness race cards at Northside Downs and Inverness Raceway in Cape Breton have been cancelled this weekend as a precaution against the spread of a potential virus.

The concern is over a horse that raced in North Sydney on Monday.

The horse was stabled at the Campbellville Training Centre in Ontario, where there is one confirmed case of Equine Herpes Virus-1.

"To date this horse is showing no signs of the virus whatsoever," said Lynn MacLennan, executive director of the Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Assocation.

"But with due diligence, the racing commission has recommended that the horse be tested just to ensure that it doesn't have the virus, and then it will not be spread in the Maritimes."

EHV-1 is a viral infection that is contagious and can kill a horse. According to the commission, anything that comes in contact with an infected horse can spread the virus.

The Northside track has been directed to disinfect the shipping barn and the paddock.