South Africa: Authorities Move Swiftly To Contain AHS

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Cape authorities launch testing campaign following AHS death

UPDATED ON APRIL 13, 2016

A press release from the office of Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, dated 13 April 2016 stated that vets in the Western Cape have moved swiftly to contain the spread of African Horse Sickness in a bid to protect the province’s multi-million rand horse export industry.

Last Friday, 8 April 2016, an African Horse Sickness related death was confirmed in the Western Cape and movement restrictions implemented.

Minister Winde stated, “Following the confirmation of AHS, vets immediately launched a testing campaign. We have already tested 70 horses in this surrounding area and we will continue to test until we are sure there are no other infected horses in the area. At this stage, we are in the clear.”

On Tuesday, 12 April 2016, Winde visited Schoongezicht, the Paarl farm where the AHS death occurred last week. The owner of the farm, Lodewikus Hanekom, has nine horses left, most of which are Arabians. He uses two for endurance riding competitions. None of the other animals have tested positive for AHS...

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http://www.sportingpost.co.za/2016/04/testing-campaign-following-ahs-death/