Horse flu could trammel racing

2003-12-10 12:08

Cape Town - The outbreak of equine influenza in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth can bring horse racing in these to centres to a complete standstill.

Races have been cancelled at Kenilworth in Cape Town and Arlington in Port Elizabeth after the outbreak was confirmed on Wednesday.

Tony Barnes, the chief executive of the Jockey Club of Southern Africa, said: "The implications are serious."

He said the last such outbreak in 1986 had affected horse racing for three months, and the latest bout could render many people such as jockeys and grooms jobless if the problem gets worse.

"Other equine sports such as show jumping and polo could also be affected," he said.

Horse flu, otherwise known as equine influenza, is the most widespread viral respiratory illness in horses and is highly contagious.

While few horses die from the disease, it can prove to be ruinous with delays in training, withdrawals from competition and increased susceptibility of horses to more serious secondary infections like bacterial pneumonia.

The outbreak was confirmed after several horses in a Cape Town training centre were found coughing and displaying other symptoms of the disease.

Ensuing tests confirmed that they all had horse flu. "It is critical to identify and isolate all horses which could have come into contact with infected horses," Barnes said.

The best treatment for equine influenza is complete rest while the illness runs its course.

Barnes said horses should not take part in any equestrian activity to prevent spreading the disease. They should undergo very light training, if at all. One week of rest for each day of fever is recommended; this typically equates to 30 to 60 days out of training and competition.

In addition, horses should be isolated and monitored closely during this time for signs of secondary bacterial infections. - News24/Sapa

- News24