Equine flu: All responsible

2003-12-23 21:44

Johannesburg - The decision not to vaccinate horses against equine influenza was made two years ago by all relevant role-players in the racing industry, for which all must assume collective responsibility, the Jockey Club of Southern Africa (JCSA) said on Tuesday.

The club's chief executive, AS Barnes, said in a statement that the announcement was made in the hope that it would put an end to inaccurate comments and criticisms by "uninformed people".

"No good purpose would be served in seeking scapegoats," he said.

The statement follows the outbreak of equine flu about two weeks ago which resulted in the postponement on Monday of one of the country's premier races, the J&B Met at Kenilworth in Cape Town, until April next year.

Barnes said that following the outbreak of equine flu in 1986 the club introduced a rule which made it compulsory for all thoroughbred racehorses to be vaccinated against the virus.

"In or about 1998 the club was requested by trainers and owners to abolish the rule for a number of reasons, including the fact that there was no outbreak of the equine flu since the 1986 epidemic."

He said that in 2001, after consulting with all the relevant role players, taking all the factors into account and after many debates, the National Board resolved to abolish the rule.

The board included representatives of Phumelela, Gold Circle, the National Federation of Owners and Trainers and the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.

It was therefore a carefully considered decision taken by the Board, which was representative of the entire racing industry.

A media release published by the club in July 2001 concluded that the "decision on whether or not to vaccinate a thoroughbred racehorse against equine influenza was therefore now the prerogative of the owners of such horses who, in any doubt, should seek guidance from a practising veterinary surgeon."

Since the abolition of the rule, the wisdom of the decision had not questioned within the industry until the outbreak of the current epidemic.

Barnes said the club would conduct an investigation to determine the reasons for the outbreak with a view to implementing appropriate steps in trying to prevent another in the future.

Barnes said the club would be consulting with major role players in connection with the possible reintroduction of compulsory vaccinations.

- SAPA