Earlier this week we updated industry participants and stakeholders about a confirmed case of equine influenza in a horse that had been purchased at the Goffs Arkle Sale in Kildare Paddocks.
The BHA has worked with the horse transportation companies and identified the thoroughbreds that travelled to Britain alongside the infected horse. We have also contacted all licensed trainers and their representatives who we know to have purchased or received a horse from the Arkle sale to provide further information and advice.
Through this engagement, we have reason to believe that horses at Goffs last week are at increased risk of having been exposed to the virus and therefore urge trainers to take every precaution.
Please be particularly vigilant around biosecurity measures and ensure that any horses purchased or received from the Arkle sale – as with any new horse into your yard, from the sales, pre-training or elsewhere – are:
- Fully vaccinated and isolated for a period of at least 14 days. This is the only way you can be confident they are healthy and disease free before mixing with your established horses.
- Monitored daily for any signs of infection. These include a raised temperature (above 38.5掳C), a harsh cough or nasal discharge. Also, things like lethargy or loss of appetite.
At the same time, please ensure that all horses already in your yard are fully vaccinated in line with the . This gives them the best possible protection against the virus.
If trainers are concerned about any signs, either in the horses that are in isolation or in your established herd, then please contact your veterinary surgeon immediately and notify the BHA about any potential or confirmed case.
Any horse that is exhibiting clinical signs can be tested for free via the Horserace Betting Levy Board鈥檚 flu surveillance scheme. More details about this are available聽.
If you have any immediate questions or have , please don鈥檛 hesitate to contact [email protected]. Otherwise, we are urging extra vigilance and trainers and teams to follow the infection control that we shared earlier this week.
