British horse racing cancelled by equine influenza outbreak – what do we know?

British horse racing was called off on Thursday because of an equine flu outbreak so what do we know about the disease and what happens now?

What is Equine Influenza?

Equine influenza is a highly contagious disease of horses, mules and donkeys. It mainly affects the upper and lower respiratory tract and is similar to the human influenza virus.

What are the symptoms of Equine Influenza?

Symptoms in non-immune animals include high fever, coughing and nasal discharge. Horse airways become inflamed and disrupt the clearance of mucus and debris, which can possibly lead to further infection.

Can humans contract Equine Influenza?

Humans do not get infected with equine flu, but humans can carry the virus on their skin, hair, clothing and shoes, and can transfer the virus to other horses. Therefore extra care needs to be taken by anyone in close contact with horses during an outbreak.

How is it spread?

By contact with infected horses, not necessarily physical contact, and it is highly contagious. It can be spread by inhaling excretions (usually via cough) through the air. Mechanical transmission is also possible via clothing, equipment, brushes, etc carried by anyone working with, or possibly visiting, horses.

What is the treatment?

Horses should be rested one week for every day of fever, with a minimum of three weeks’ rest. All racehorses in the United Kingdom are vaccinated, but BHA regulatory chief Brant Dunshea told Sky Sports Racing on Thursday morning there is evidence that this strain is affecting vaccinated horses.

Is it fatal?

While the disease is rarely fatal in itself but it can lead to complications such as pneumonia which can cause longer-term health issues and some cases lead to death. It can also have more severe effects on very young and old horses.

So, why was racing in the UK called off on Thursday?

The British Horseracing Authority stated it is a “standard contingency” in the event of an outbreak being reported to restrict the movement of horses around the country. This is done to stop the spread of such a highly-contagious disease. The outbreak is thought to have occurred at an active racing stable in England who had runners at Ludlow and Ayr on Wednesday, although it is understood it was not those runners who were infected.

Racing in Ireland will continue for now and the meeting at Thurles on Thursday was given the go-ahead. Irish trainer Gordon Elliott had runners at Ayr on Wednesday but they have been placed in isolation away from the rest of his string.

Horse Racing Ireland have also confirmed runners from Britain will not be permitted until further notice.

When will racing resume?

The BHA will issue an update on Thursday evening about racing for Friday and the rest of this week. Saturday features three major Cheltenham trials on Newbury’s Super Saturday card – the Denman Chase, the Game Spirit Chase and Betfair Hurdle – and there is quality graded action at Warwick as well.

Has a significant outbreak happened before?

Never in the UK, although a serious outbreak of foot and mouth disease did stop racing in 2001 for a number of months, forcing the cancellation of the Cheltenham Festival.

An equine flu outbreak in Australia in 2007 saw the cancellation of 211 race meetings, including Sydney’s multi-million dollar spring racing carnival. It impacted the New South Wales racing and breeding industries for eight months but increased bio-security measures allowed that year’s Melbourne Cup to be run.

As a case study it will be huge cause for concern in the UK ahead of this season’s Cheltenham Festival, which gets underway on March 12. A statement from Cheltenham Racecourse read: “We are working with the BHA on this matter and hope that the early actions of the BHA will ensure that this outbreak of Equine Influenza can be contained. We look forward to racing resuming as soon as possible, and hope that this will be well in advance of The Festival in five weeks’ time.”

(c) Sky News 2019: British horse racing cancelled by equine influenza outbreak – what do we know?