The FEI Veterinary Epidemiology Working Group held the second of its weekly meetings on 25 March, with the main focus on fine-tuning the Return To Competition protocols to allow for the safe resumption of international sport in continental Europe following the EHV1 outbreak that occurred in Valencia, Spain.
An announcement from the FEI about the meeting reads:
"The group has reviewed the required biosecurity measures, with a particular focus on PCR testing, examination on arrival, stalls and temperature monitoring.
Start of competition
The Group agreed that there is currently no evidence to suggest that it would be unsafe to resume international competition in continental Europe as planned on 12 April, provided the mandatory enhanced preventive measures are implemented. However, the Group will continue to monitor the development of the outbreaks on a daily basis.
According to the information received from the national federations, the outbreak seems to be well under control. The number of reported cases seems to be decreasing and there have been no reports in the past week.
Financial support
The group was informed that the FEI will provide financial support for the ongoing scientific work on the laboratory analysis of positive samples for gene typing.
Plans are being drawn up to collect data for further investigation of the outbreaks. Furthermore, it was agreed to collect data to evaluate whether compulsory vaccination has reduced the EHV outbreaks in France.
Additional support
Dr Anne Courouce, an internal medicine specialist appointed by the French National Federation to support the veterinary work in Valencia, is now supporting the group with her expertise.
The next meeting of the group is scheduled for 30 March 2021."
