BHA Will Propose New Equine Influenza Vaccination Standards

[Wandering Eyes]

After consulting with the British Horseracing Authority’s Veterinary Committee, which includes experts from all facets of the racing industry, the BHA will propose to make eight months the new equine influenza vaccination renewal period as of Jan. 1, 2020. Currently, the vaccination renewal period is six months, down from one year. The BHA still also needs to consult with the National Trainers Federation (NTF) and other industry stakeholders about making permanent changes to racing’s rules that will further strengthen protection against equine influenza.

Beginning May 1, 2019, all horses that are presented at a racecourse will need to show that they have been vaccinated against equine influenza within the last eight months with a one-month grace period. In addition, the current requirement  for a health declaration form to be submitted on arrival at the racecourse for each runner will cease to be effective from May 1, 2019 for British-trained runners from licensed yards. Hunter Chasers from unlicensed yards and international runners will still need to provide the health declaration, and for international runners a negative result for equine influenza from a nasopharyngeal swab (PCR) to the BHA, no more than 72 hours prior to the horse’s arrival in Great Britain is still required.

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