Plumpton abandoned by BHA following discovery of equine flu at nearby yard

The National Hunt meeting scheduled for Plumpton on Sunday has been abandoned by the British Horseracing Authority as a “precautionary measure”, after a confirmed case of equine influenza at a livery yard adjacent to the racecourse.

The BHA said the discovery of equine flu and EHV-4 was in an unvaccinated non-thoroughbred horse based at the yard.

Equine flu is highly contagious respiratory disease and can be airborne over reasonable distances and transmitted indirectly to horses, including via people.

Racing in Britain was brought to a halt for six days in February 2019 due to an equine flu outbreak, with many yards across the country placed on lockdown.

The BHA said it has been working with Plumpton and its veterinary team, the livery yard and independent infectious disease experts to monitor the horses and determine the level of risk.

It said at present no other horses are showing signs of infection and that the cancellation of this weekend’s fixture is therefore a “precautionary measure” given the very close proximity of the livery yard to the racecourse and particularly the stable area.

BHA director of Equine Regulation, Safety and Welfare, James Given, said: “Equine flu is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among horses, including through the air and over a widespread distance, which is why it is essential we take appropriate steps to minimise any risk of onward transmission.

“We appreciate that this news will be disappointing for the racecourse, participants and racegoers, but with a confirmed case in the immediate vicinity and the horse actively shedding the virus, this is a sensible precautionary step to protect individual horses and the wider thoroughbred herd from potential exposure.

“We have also seen a significant recent rise in the number of equine flu outbreaks across the country, in the non-thoroughbred herd. I urge trainers and teams to remain vigilant in their own biosecurity measures and being alert to the signs of infection.”