3 minute read
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has issued new advice on the Equine Influenza outbreak in Britain this week with racing called off for a week.
The decision that racing will not resume in Britain until Wednesday 13 February at the earliest includes fixtures programmed by the Point-to-Point Authority.
The BHA’s veterinary team has been in contact with more than 50 trainers and veterinarians to allow it to make an informed assessment of the risk of equine influenza spreading.
Whilst no further positive tests have been received, at least three more days are required before it will be possible to make a decision about whether it is safe to resume racing.
The disease can take up to three days before symptoms are visible, meaning it will take until Sunday at the earliest before the BHA can gather all the information required. This approach will allow samples to be collected and assessed by the Animal Health Trust in order that a fully informed decision can be made on Monday.
This may then allow declarations to take place on Tuesday in time for racing on Wednesday, with 24 hour declarations for all fixtures on this day, should racing be able to resume. Declarations for Thursday would revert to the usual procedures.
Various factors may mean the outbreak is not as severe as the 2007 Australian disease when the NSW and Queensland racing industries, along with all other forms of equine pursuits, were thrown into chaos as EI curtailed the Spring in those states.