2007 News
September 7, 2007
JRA begins movement of horses
The ban on the movement of horses between JRA and non-JRA facilities was partially lifted on the 4th of September. Since equine influenza was initially confirmed in JRA facilities on the 15th of August, measures to restrict the movement of horses between JRA and non-JRA facilities had been put in place in order to control the spread of equine influenza in Japan.
Since the 15th of August, 193 horses in JRA facilities have been found clinically positive for equine influenza, however the situation in JRA facilities was brought under control about ten days after the initial case and no new clinically positive cases have been reported since 27th August.
The removal of this ban comes into effect on limited basis at this time. Admission into the JRA facilities is allowed at Miho and Ritto Training Centers only and is limited to about 50 horses per day and direct movement from Sapporo Racecourse and Hakodate Racecourse which are located close to breeding establishments in Hokkaido is prohibited. Other strict requirements established by JRA must also be fulfilled prior to movement. The basic outline of the requirements is as follows:
- Horses departing JRA facilities must be free from any equine influenza symptoms during seven days prior to departure.
- Horses departing JRA facilities must show a negative result to equine influenza test on both the first day and the last day of the confinement.
- Horses departing JRA facilities must have a valid health handbook recording all treatment and approved by the JRA's official veterinarian.
- The health information on the horse must be reported to the receiving farm and the relevant local authorities.
- The receiving farms are asked to place the horse coming from the JRA facility into isolation for seven to ten days and to conduct the necessary precautionary test for equine influenza.
- Horses coming into JRA facilities must go into isolation upon entry and have their temperatures taken twice during the isolation period and gain clinical approval from the JRA's official veterinarian.
- Horses coming into JRA facilities must test negative for equine influenza.
- Horses coming into JRA facilities must fulfill the current equine influenza vaccination protocol established by the Japanese Council of Equine Health.
- Horses coming into JRA facilities are recommended to receive a additional vaccination for equine influenza at least two weeks prior to entry into JRA facilities. Horses arriving without additional vaccination will be vaccinated during the isolation period.
