The British Horseracing Authority has told trainers and racing staff to tighten biosecurity measures after reporting a significant rise in equine influenza cases in the wider UK horse population, while stressing there have been no reported cases in licensed training yards.
The BHA published updated equine influenza guidance on Saturday, 9 May, broadening the focus beyond Plumpton’s abandoned Sunday fixture and urging racing participants across Britain to remain on alert as case numbers rise in the non-thoroughbred herd.
They said Sunday’s Plumpton meeting had already been called off earlier in the week after a confirmed case of equine influenza and EHV-4 in a livery yard immediately adjacent to the racecourse. It described the abandonment as a precautionary step, supported by the authority’s independent veterinary group, because equine influenza is highly contagious and can spread through the air and indirectly via people.
No Reported Cases or Clinical Signs in Licensed Training Yards
In its latest update, the BHA said there had since been a significant rise in cases reported to the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance team. It added that the outbreaks remain in the non-thoroughbred population and that there have been no reported cases or clinical signs in licensed training yards.
The authority repeated that all horses running in Britain must be vaccinated under the Rules of Racing, with booster injections administered no more than six months apart.
Trainers were told to monitor horses for raised temperatures, coughs, nasal discharge, lethargy, poor performance or loss of appetite, to isolate any suspected case on veterinary advice, and to be especially careful about horse movements, shared equipment and yard hygiene.
The wider disease picture underlines why the warning matters. In an April 23 update, the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance team said it had received details of 21 confirmed equine influenza outbreaks across 15 UK counties since the beginning of April, including 12 newly reported outbreaks since its previous update.
It also said many of the newly reported cases involved horses that had recently moved premises.
New BHA Guidance, But No panic
This is a notable move by the BHA as it moves beyond one abandoned meeting and sets out its latest position on a broader rise in equine influenza cases. Also worth emphasising again, amid the new guidance for trainers, racecourses, etc, as the spring Flat season intensifies, is that there are no reported cases in licensed yards, which adds important context.
