Ehv-1: Timeline of a Nightmare

Bologna, May 19 2021 – The nightmare of Ehv-1 is still running free in Europe. The maximum level of allert and the measures put in place by main stakeholders are working pretty well but the virus is far to be beaten. And it seeks more and more attention to be cast in a corner.

We followed (articles in Italian…) the case that spoilt the first Cdi4* in Ornago and this is the Fei update record in the timeline evolution.

7 May 2021

The FEI was advised that three horses had tested positive for EHV-1 at a stables in Switzerland. The positive results were confirmed only after an athlete from the home stables had arrived on-venue at the Italian CDI in Ormago (ITA) on Wednesday evening this week. Following confirmation of the positives at the home stables, all three horses have now left the venue, as officially validated by the event checkout system on the FEI HorseApp. The FEI is following up on this situation, together with the National Federation.

8 May 2021

The FEI was notified that one of three horses tested onsite at the CDI in Ornago (ITA) prior to departure for their home base in Switzerland has returned positive for EHV-1. Neither the positive horse nor its two travelling companions were showing any clinical signs on departure from the event venue. As a result of the positive test, all three horses have been blocked in the FEI Database and will need to fulfill all biosecurity requirements (21-day isolation and a negative PCR test) before being unblocked. The athlete had left the Italian venue after being advised that three horses at their home stables had tested positive for EHV-1.

The FEI Veterinary Delegate onsite at Ornago has reported that stables at the venue are well separated. Biosecurity is all in accordance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations and Return To Competition protocols. Horses stabled in the same barn as the positive horse have all been tested. Voluntary PCR testing has been offered for all other participating horses in Ornago. The results are expected in the next 24 hours. No horses onsite are showing any clinical signs.

9 May 2021

Samples taken from 24 horses at Ornago (ITA) have all returned negative for EHV-1. These horses were all stabled in the same barn as the three horses that left the Italian CDI on Thursday, one of which subsequently tested positive for EHV-1 after returning to its home base in Switzerland. The athlete had returned to Switzerland after being informed that three horses at their home stables had tested positive for the virus.

12 May 2021

A total of 59 horses, part of voluntary PCR testing offered for participating horses at Ornago (ITA), have all returned negative for EHV-1. The 24 in-contact horses stabled in the same barn as the three horses that left Ornago last week underwent mandatory testing, and their results were also negative, as confirmed on 9 May.

FEI Veterinary Epidemiology Working Group held the ninth of its weekly meetings. The Group was updated on the current situation in mainland Europe, focusing on the positive PCR results in Opglabbeek and Ornago; the recommended independent review of the EHV vaccination policy and the self-certification form required under the Return To Competition measures.

18 May 2021

The FEI was notified that two horses which were housed in the same barn as a horse that tested positive at the Italian CDI in Ornago have developed fever after returning home. One of them has now tested positive for EHV-1. The FEI Veterinary Department considers all horses that were housed in this barn as in-contacts. As a result, a further 24 horses have been blocked in the FEI Database. And they will need to fulfil specific biosecurity requirements prior to being unblocked. The Athletes have been advised. The relevant National Federations have been provided with a list of their blocked horses. Plus a list of upcoming entries for these horses. The three horses that had returned from Ornago to their home base in Switzerland, one of which subsequently tested positive, were blocked in the FEI Database last week.