Bloodstock: Equine flu outbreak and incomplete vaccinations raises questions Every week we travel horses up and down the country and across the Irish Sea. Horses travel between stud farms, from sales complexes, to race meetings and into training. At the recent store sales, a number of horses were found to have incomplete flu vaccinations which is hugely concerning. The ability to move horses freely is integral to the success of the bloodstock and racing industry. Unfortunately, infectious diseases are oblivious to commercial pressures and sales dates. Sales Over a thousand store horses have been sold in the last few weeks in sales complexes in Ireland and the UK. These horses have come from different farms, with different management practices and they have different health histories and levels of immunity. Sales complexes have a high volume of horses in a relatively small area. They are sharing exercise facilities, wash down areas and double standings are becoming more common as sales companies expand their catalogues. Biosecurity protocols are in place to an extent but this environment is wide open to the transmission of infectious disease. Equine herpesvirus Equine herpesvirus (EHV) particularly the neurological strain (EHV-1) is another grave concern. EHV can spread silently, it can be present in horses that appear healthy. They shed the virus before the clinical signs become evident. The consequences of an outbreak can be catastrophic, with movement restrictions, significant welfare and considerable financial implications. At present in Ireland and the UK, sales companies only require pregnant mares to be vaccinated for this disease. Sales company taking risks at the industry's expense? There were several announcements from the rostrum at the recent store sales regarding horses with incomplete flu vaccinations. These have prompted uncomfortable but necessary questions. Perhaps there is a legitimate reason why a 3 year old store has incomplete flu vaccinations. I can’t think of one, but there must be. The presence of horses with varying levels of immunity in a busy sales complex during an Equine Influenza outbreak has to raise some questions about accountability and risk management. Who ultimately decides that the risk is worth taking? Who decides that it is ok to let horses into a sales complex with incomplete vaccinations? Is it the consignor? The transporter? The sales company for determining the conditions of sale? The vet checking horses into the sales complex? When you consider the consequences, these questions are entirely valid. So, what happens if a horse attends a sale and returns to its new home and shows signs of Equine Influenza? The horse requires hospitalization, a significant veterinary bill and is now facing a big delay to its training. Who pays?
