Equine disease surveillance, April to June 2007.

This research article discusses the various infectious equine diseases that erupted throughout Europe during the second quarter of 2007. It emphasizes the importance of regular disease monitoring and preventive measures in the equine industry. The article also mentions the introduction of a new protocol designed to aid horses caught in accidents and the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Significant Infectious Outbreaks

• There were several significant infectious disease outbreaks during the second quarter of 2007 throughout different countries in Europe. These included influenza virus, equine infectious anaemia (EIA), equine viral arteritis (EVA), and contagious equine metritis (CEM).
• Particularly, a case of CEM was confirmed in a stallion that had been imported from Belgium. The stallion, while in quarantine, was tested and turned out positive for Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative organism of CEM.
• No further cases were identified following movement restrictions imposed under the Infectious Diseases of Horses Order 1987 (IDHO) and further investigation.
• These outbreaks highlighted the need for persistent vigilance in infectious disease control among the equine industry in the UK.

HBLB Codes of Practice

• Subsequently, changes were made to the Horserace Betting Levy Board’s (HBLB’s) Codes of Practice. It was agreed upon that a specific Code for EIA should be included moving forward.
• The revised Codes, which are to include the new EIA Code, are set to be published by the end of 2007.

Impact of FMD

• A foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Surrey, which indirectly affected horses, led to the suspension of free movement under a tripartite agreement now requiring intratrade certificates for horses moving between the UK, Ireland, and France.

Emergency Services Protocol (ESP)

• An Emergency Services Protocol was launched to help horses involved in accidents. This protocol delineates a national standard with procedural guidelines for large animal rescues.

Implementation of the Animal Welfare Act 2006

• The Animal Welfare Act 2006 was implemented during this quarter in England and Wales. The Act extends the responsible person’s duty of care and omits their obligations with greater clarity.

Virology

• The research also included results of virological testing from April to June, with data relating to EVA.
• Five cases of abortion linked with equine herpesvirus (EHV) infection were identified in the quarter.
• Diagnoses of EHV type 1 (EHV-1) respiratory disease were made based on positive virus isolations from nasopharyngeal swabs submitted from two young racehorses with signs of respiratory disease.