No threat to Cheltenham yet but build-up will be hit
Q Is the Cheltenham Festival at risk? A Not at this stage. But it would compromise the chance of horses struck down with equine flu and there will be knock-on problems for those who miss their prep races because of the cancellation of racing. Q How much could this cost the industry? A Racing usually anticipates losing fixtures to the weather at this time of year. It has been an open winter, meaning fewer fixtures than normal have been lost, yet even if racing resumes on Wednesday, millions in revenue potentially will have been lost. If the shutdown were to last six weeks, then it would have huge ramifications to everyone financially. Q How contagious is equine influenza? A Very. It can be carried in the air, passed directly by one horse nuzzling another, or indirectly by human touch. Most yards will have fairly stringent bio-security measures in place, from isolation yards for incoming horses, to dipping the bits on the bridles in disinfectant after each horse has been ridden.
Q How dangerous is it? A
Not very in general, but it can be more serious for the very young, the very old or those already compromised by illness or injury. Unlike swine or chicken flus, it is not believed to be possible to infect humans.
Q
How is it treated? A
There is not a lot that can be done. There are antiviral treatments but they get a mixed review from vets. Antibiotics would only be effective if the flu had led to a secondary infection. An anti-inflammatory can be given to bring down a temperature but, otherwise, what is needed is good animal husbandry; clean, dry bedding, a warm well-ventilated stable, plenty of water and light exercise.
Q How long do the effects last? A
It depends on the horse and the strain of flu. It is mandatory for all racehorses to receive a flu jab – they are not allowed on a racecourse without an up-to-date jab signed off by a vet in their passports – which should suppress the worst symptoms. However, like with the human flu vaccine, the makers constantly play a mixture of catch-up and prediction about the exact next strain. How this strain has mutated to affect a vaccinated population will be a worry to the British Horseracing Authority and Animal Health Trust.