After the rhino outbreak in Valencia it became clear that something had to change in the vaccination policy to prevent such an outbreak in the future. The German equestrian association FN has understood this well and is now sending a strong signal by making the rhino vaccination mandatory for competition horses. This is not yet the case in the current FEI regulations. The mandatory vaccination for horses will come into effect on January 1, 2023.
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“In order to prevent a shortage of vaccines, we have decided not to make the obligation until 2023,” it sounds. “In the spring of 2021, 18 horses died in Valencia as a result of the rhinovirus. We must therefore do everything we can to prevent such a tragedy in the future. The Sports Advisory Council therefore has the advantages and disadvantages of a mandatory vaccination discussed and we came to the conclusion that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages”.
“The main goal of the vaccination is to reduce the spread of viruses in the horse population,” says FN veterinarian Enrica Zumnorde-Mertens. “However, vaccination cannot protect a horse against infection and disease. The vaccine is also less active if vaccinated and unvaccinated horses are kept together.”
Source: UN
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