BHA update: Equine Herpes Virus

28 Jun 22

Further to a notice issued on 8 June 2022, we can confirm that following stringent biosecurity and disease testing measures, the yard of Dr Richard Newland will commence a phased re-opening from today, Tuesday 28 June.

This will allow those horses maintained in discrete, biosecure groups on the yard and that have been confirmed as free from Equine Herpes Virus (EHV), to resume racing.

We would like to thank Dr Newland for his cooperation and excellent management of the outbreak, and Fleur Whitlock and Dr Richard Newton at Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) at the University of Cambridge for their expertise and advice.

The yard continues to be monitored carefully, with the stringent biosecurity to remain in place until all clearance testing is completed.

While we have not been notified as to any confirmed cases in other yards, we would still encourage trainers and veterinary surgeons to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of EHV.

Any horse showing clinical signs of EHV should be investigated immediately, and we would remind veterinary surgeons that trainers have a responsibility to report communicable diseases under the BHA Rules of Racing.

Further information on EHV and appropriate biosecurity measures can be found on the EquiBioSafe App, in the National Trainers Federation Code of Practice for Infectious Diseases of Racehorses in Training and in the Horserace Betting Levy Board Codes of Practice.