What we know so far as British racing is cancelled after equine flu outbreak

What has happened?

Late on Wednesday evening, the BHA reported there had been three positive cases of equine influenza in vaccinated racehorses which were subsequently confirmed to be at Donald McCain's yard. The BHA initially announced that all meetings in Britain on Thursday were cancelled before later extending the shutdown to Wednesday at the earliest. The decision was taken so as not to risk further spread of the disease.

When will racing resume?

The BHA has said that racing in Britain will not resume until Wednesday, February 13, at the earliest, with a decision made on Monday as to whether it can restart on that day. Racing in Ireland is continuing as normal.

Could the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National meeting at Aintree be affected?

The BHA said it was far too early to say.

What is equine influenza?

It is described as the most potentially damaging of the respiratory viruses that occur in equines in the United Kingdom, with symptoms including high fever, coughing and nasal discharge. It is not usually fatal, although there can be complications from pneumonia. According to the BHA equine flu typically lasts 24-48 hours in vaccinated horses, though with performance potentially affected for several days, or sometimes weeks.

How serious is this strain of the virus?

The horses involved are showing typical signs of mild infection, the BHA has said. However, the presence of the virus in vaccinated horses demonstrates that the vaccination is not completely effective against this strain.

Why is there so much concern?

Equine influenza is highly contagious and can be airborne over reasonable distances as well as be transmitted indirectly, including via people. Horses from the infected yard raced at Wolverhampton on Monday and Ayr and Ludlow on Wednesday, potentially exposing a significant number of horses from across Britain and in Ireland.

What are the financial implications for racing?

Racecourse media rights deals are shrouded in commercial secrecy but every race lost costs racecourses thousands of pounds in income. The levy brought in £95 million in its last financial year which works out at an average of around £264,000 a day. A quiet midweek day's racing would be less valuable, worth perhaps £200,000, while a busy Saturday would be expected to generate more levy than average.

How did the virus arrive in Britain?

Authorities first became aware of an outbreak in Europe in December and trainers were advised to vaccinate any horses which had not been vaccinated in the previous six months. The original source of the British outbreak has not been confirmed but the BHA expect there is a link with other recent cases elsewhere in Europe.

Have there been outbreaks of equine influenza in the past?

Yes. Mandatory vaccination of racehorses was introduced by the Jockey Club in 1981 following an outbreak in 1979 which caused widespread disruption. A further outbreak occurred in 1989 in which vaccinated horses were not protected. The most major recent outbreak was in 2003 when more than 1,000 horses were affected in 21 yards in Newmarket. However, racing continued during that period.

What about abroad?

A major outbreak of equine flu in Australia led to widespread cancellation of racing including the Sydney Spring Carnival and cost the industry millions of dollars. However, the major difference with the UK was that racehorses in Australia had not been vaccinated and immunity was far lower than it is in the UK.

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