The official website of the Irish Harness Racing Association

EQUINE INFLUENZA UPDATE

EQUINE INFLUENZA UPDATE 

We have become aware of a small number of isolated cases of equine influenza in Ireland over the last couple of weeks. 

Horses in training are required to be vaccinated for equine influenza in Ireland under the Rules of Racing.  The disease is, however, being reported in vaccinated horses.  Symptoms to be aware of: range from increased temperature, coughing and nasal discharge and the horse being off the feed to more severe respiratory signs – your veterinary surgeon should be contacted for advice under current circumstances if these signs are present.

Testing for equine influenza is provided free of charge by the Irish Equine Centre – it is recommended that any trainer with any concerns should avail of this in order to establish their horses’ disease status.  As with any contagious infectious disease outbreak, rapid diagnosis and effective management is key to recovery and minimizing spread of disease.

The IHRA strongly recommends that all horses which have not had a vaccine containing Clade 1 virus within the last six months are given a booster vaccination as soon as possible.

We will be compiling a record of all horses in training over the next few days and it will be mandatory for all trainers to declare the horses that they currently have in training.
Please follow the link to declare horses in training: DECLARATION FORM