A new epidemic worries the equestrian community in France

Wind of panic in the French equestrian world. The RESPE (Equine Pathology Epidemio-Surveillance Network) announced on November 18 in a press release that an epidemic of rhinopneumonia, an extremely contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease for horses, is spreading in several departments. As of that date, two cases had been confirmed and several others were suspected of having contracted the infection. Two horses have already died in mid-November.

This disease caused by the equine herpes viruses HVE1 and HVE4 poses no risk to humans, but its effects on horses can be devastating. Rhinopneumonia manifests itself in different forms: the respiratory form, the most common, which causes fever, loss of appetite and breathing difficulties, and the neurological form, rarer but more serious, which causes balance disorders and paralysis. and can lead to death.

As of November 24, RESPE had classified nine departments at moderate risk, and five others, mainly in the west and center of the country, at high risk. The investigation carried out by the network allowed “to identify an epidemiological link between several of the outbreaks: the participation of one or more carrier equines in a competition at the beginning of November in Sarthe (72)”. Several hundred ponies and horses from all over France took part in this gathering and are therefore “likely to have become contaminated”. A second gathering in Île-de-France with several ponies already infected would also have caused the disease to spread.

Call for vigilance

All owners and keepers of equines having participated in the Sarthe gathering or in competitions of equivalent level since the beginning of November are called by the RESPE to be extremely vigilant. They are strongly encouraged “to set up temperature monitoring to detect sick equines as early as possible and limit the circulation of the virus”. Furthermore, in order to limit the expansion of the number of contamination points, “each owner in a proven home is asked not to move their horse and above all not to participate in an event”.

RESPE recalls that the period is still “rich in competitions and equestrian events”and invites you to rigorously apply the regulations in force or a health protocol, “with at least temperature monitoring (before, during and after the event) and immediate isolation in the event of hyperthermia”. Riders are also encouraged to clean and disinfect the boxes “after each departure and between 2 gatherings, even spaced apart in time”.

To prevent more horses from being contaminated, the Percheron foal fair in Mêle-sur-Sarthe (Orne) which was to be held on November 30 was canceled. The Deauville International Horse Center has also postponed the Tournée des As, which was to take place next weekend.