Currently, there is a Europe-wide alert of increased risk of disease associated with Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1), which originated in Valencia (ESP) and has already resulted in related outbreaks in at least three other countries in Europe.
In response, British Showjumping have put in place measures for all horses returning from France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Poland, Netherlands, Germany and Slovakia from 1st March 2021.
Please see up-to-date guidance from British Showjumping here.
Laboratory Testing requirements as specified are:
i. Paired serology ((to measure antibodies against EHV) with two samples taken a minimum of 10 days apart, using the complement fixation test (CFT) (available from Rossdales Laboratories)
ii. And, a pair of nasopharyngeal swabs, taken and submitted at the same time as each of the serology samples.
Rossdales Laboratories have agreed a discounted pricing package for the four tests (£110 + VAT). Samples must be accompanied by a submission form for each horse.
Sample collection, Shipping and consumables
Serum does not need any special preparation for shipment. Nasopharyngeal swabs must be taken with appropriate swabs (NB standard culture swabs are not appropriate), entering via the ventral meatus of either nostril and capturing as much mucus from the nasopharynx as possible. The swab tip is then inserted into a 30 ml universal container containing a few mls of virus transport medium or sterile saline.