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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 3rd February 2016
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Herpes virus discovered at National Stud
Grazing horses
Staff identified the EHV-1 virus in a maiden filly which was imported from France on 20 January.

Breeding site closed until further notice
 
A case of neurological equine herpes has been discovered in the Health Isolation Unit at The National Stud, forcing the breeding site to close.

Staff identified the EHV-1 virus in a maiden filly which was imported from France on 20 January. The horse is fully vaccinated.

Based on the outskirts of Newmarket, the National Stud is home to five stallions including Dick Turpin, Gregorian, and Toronado.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, managing director Brian O’Rouke said: "This is an isolation unit and we've taken every necessary precaution.

"That one isolation unit is shut down for 30 days automatically. The staff at the unit do not go to the main farm, which is a good mile and a half from the isolation unit.

"We are hopeful that if we have no more setbacks, hopefully with consultation with a team of vets and the Animal Health Trust, we've got a second gate that we might be able to open up the stud in time for the start of the breeding season around 15 February.

"With having 3,000 racehorses on our doorstep in Newmarket, six stallion stations and all those having a lot of mares coming in from overseas and domestically, we have to be seen to set the standard."

The National Stud say that they are now closed to the public until further notice.

In response to the discovery, BEVA quickly issued a statement describing the situation as "a highly infectious disease."

"We have to take every precaution possible and we did that and did it quickly," they said.

"The case and contacts are restricted to the isolation unit which is a long distance from the remainder of the stud. Control measures are being followed in accordance with the HBLB Codes of Practice."

 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.