The National Horseracing Authority advises all licensed persons and other stakeholders of the current availability of the AHS vaccines as well as the eligibility of horses to compete in 2025.
Due to the persistent AHS vaccination shortage, the NHA has extended the window period for horses’ resident in the AHS infected zone to 31 December 2024.
Horses resident in the AHS controlled area may only be vaccinated between 1 June and 31 October.
No horse resident in the AHS surveillance and free zones shall be vaccinated against AHS without official permission from the State Vet: Boland.
Only horses with at least one valid AHS set (bottle I and bottle II) for 2023 or 2024 will be permitted entry to the security area to race, effective 1 January 2025.
Both bottles must be given in the same AHS vaccination window period (either 2023 or 2024).
Our current data, indicates approximately 25% of horses in training will be ineligible to race, IF they are NOT vaccinated before 31 December 2024.
Horses residing within the AHS free and surveillance zones do not require AHS vaccination to race in the Western Cape.
However, should these horses leave the AHS free and surveillance zones to race in other parts of the country, they need to be vaccinated as outlined above, within one week of arrival.
Horses may only be vaccinated against AHS by a veterinarian, using a registered, non-expired, polyvalent horse sickness vaccine according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. Such vaccine shall only be supplied by the veterinarian administering the vaccine.
Trainers are advised to exercise strict midge vector control when vaccinating horses in the infected zone beyond 31 October.
The NHA is actively engaging with Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) and other industry representatives to find solutions to ensure reliable vaccination production and distribution.
We encourage you to discuss this matter with your private veterinarian, and should you have any doubts, please don’t hesitate to contact the NHA Veterinary Department.
- Media release by the NHA on Friday, 02 August 2024.
