Equine Influenza outbreak strikes British horseracing

At the United Kingdom, an outbreak of equine influenza has allegedly directed the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to cancel all of its scheduled rivals until at least Wednesday.

Six animals recognized:

Based on a Friday report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the epidemic was first seen in a trio of horses in Cheshire only hours after a few of the stable-mates had hurried tracks in Wolverhampton, Ludlow and Ayr on February 6. The broadcaster comprehensive that a further three animals from the same facility have been diagnosed with the highly contagious disease, which is caused by strains of the flu A virus and contains symptoms like coughing, higher fever and nasal discharge.

Stables on lockdown:

The BBC noted that some 174 horseracing stables have been put on lockdown as testing continues while Irish officials have responded quickly by banning any British-trained horses from getting involved in events on the island.

Reluctantly read a statement in the BHA…

“It will not be possible to test every horse out of every lawn prior to the end of the weekend but we’ll work with coaches to recognize any priority or threat horses and ensure they are tested. This may all form part of the picture that is constructed as a way to assist the decisions that will be made on Monday.

Cheltenham worries:

The broadcaster noted this week’s epidemic has reminded many of the foot-and-mouth crisis that ravaged British horseracing some 18 years ago although some observers have even speculated that the beginning of the jump business ’s showpiece four-day Cheltenham Festival, which is due to get underway from March 12, could be postponed.

Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer for the BHA, allegedly told the BBC there ‘is a potential risk’ this horseracing meets across Great Britain could suspended for months but he subsequently added that no such decision could be taken without ‘thinking through all of the consequences’.

‘Catastrophic’ to continue:

Local horseracing trainer Seamus Mullins allegedly told the BBC’s Radio 5 Live app that continued to race in the face of an outbreak of equine influenza, which is spread through the air, ‘could be devastating ’ to the sector as normal meets see up to 100 horses ‘by all parts of the country’ stabled near to one another. After competing, ” he detailed the animals ‘all go back home to their own yard’ and that this could lead to the disease spreading further.

Mullins into the BBC…

“It’s very much like human influenza; the indicators are the same and the horses feel the same. You obtain a high temperature, a nasal discharge and you get coughing and the horses feel rough. It’s very similar to humans but they get over it.