Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 8th April 2021
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

UK EHV-1 risk ‘nearing normal levels’
EHV-1 spreads among horses through close contact and coughing.
British Equestrian issues update following the outbreak in Europe.

British Equestrian (BEF) has issued an important update on the equine herpes virus (EHV-1) outbreak circulating within Europe.

On Wednesday (7 April), the Federation said that EHV-1 risk in the UK is 'nearing normal levels'. However, equine health certificates will be required for UK gatherings ‘for the foreseeable future’.

It said its Infectious Diseases Action Group (EIDAG) had considered data over the last three years, concluding that the risk level ‘is now dropping towards the baseline number of cases seen in any other year’. 

Welcoming the news, BEF chief executive Jim Eyre said: “We know that EHV is endemic in this country, but the threat posed by the European outbreak was a cause for great concern. I’d like to thank the member bodies and all their riders, owners and grooms, who embraced and followed the protocols so readily and with such commitment."

EHV-1 is a fatal disease that spreads among horses through close contact and coughing. The virus transmits via clothing or other objects, but it is more likely to spread between horses within stables and enclosed buildings. 

The recent outbreak, which originated at a showjumping event in Valencia, has so far claimed the lives of 18 horses across Europe and led to the cancellation of several international events. 

A BEF spokesperson said: “The EIDAG encourages event organisers to continue to request that competitors complete a self-certification of equine health and freedom from disease contact form. However, the group anticipates that by 12 April, it may be possible to remove the current restriction that, to attend UK horse gatherings, horses must have been resident in this country for the last 28 days. 

“A new template will be circulated to British Equestrian’s member bodies to remove this restriction after 12 April, providing that the current disease risk level continues to fall.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.