WEG will be a tick-free zone

Tryondailybulletin.com - Full Article

By Leah Justice
September 7 2018

FEI veterinarian: No way disease will spread to local horses

COLUMBUS — While some have expressed concern over more than 60 horses coming to the World Equestrian Games who have tested positive for a tick-borne disease, WEG officials say they have taken every precaution and then some to ensure the local horse population is protected.

To answer questions of if equine piroplasmosis could be spread to local horses, Tryon International Equestrian Center Chief Operating Officer Sharon Decker brought Fédération Equestre Internationale Veterinary Director Göran Akerström, of Switzerland, to Tuesday night’s county commissioner meeting.

Akerström said there are 63 horses total who have tested positive for equine piroplasmosis and 39 of those are scheduled to run in the endurance race on Wednesday. The endurance race is a 100-mile course, with the trails going through private property.

Akerström explained the process of testing, saying all horses are tested 30 days before arrival. He said if a horse on the same flight tests negative as horses that tested positive, the negative horses are also treated, just to be sure...

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https://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2018/09/07/weg-will-be-a-tick-free-zone/