UK equine flu outbreak: the SA perspective

The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) has asked for “strict biosecurity measures” to be applied to all people who might have come into contact with thoroughbred horses that might have been exposed to the equine influenza outbreak in Britain earlier this month.

In a press release, the NHA said analyses of the equine fl u cases reported in the UK had revealed the following:

“According to the British Horseracing Authority’s Veterinary Committee and their team of competent veterinarians, the equine influenza virus is the ‘Florida Clade 1’ strain, which is endemic to North and South America.

“According to the BHA’s Veteri-nary Commi ee this is diff erent from the ‘Clade 2’ strain that is en-demic to Europe.

“In South Africa, we vaccinate utilising vaccines that mostly contain these above-mentioned strains.

“The difference with our vaccination protocol is that we vaccinate our racehorses every six months, in order to ensure that we may avoid an outbreak.

“Horses being imported into South Africa from these countries are tested for equine influenza during their 30-day quarantine period prior to departure.

“And then a er a further 30-day quarantine period a er their arrival in South Africa.

“As a precautionary measure, we advise that strict biosecurity measures be applied to all per-sons coming into contact with thoroughbreds, especially from these affected regions.”

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