MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Equine influenza in northern Chile

Thirteen thorough bred belonging to the Antofagasta Horse Club in Chile have been quarantined following what is believed to be an outbreak of equine influenza. Another forty horses have symptoms of lethargy, weakness and are developing a harsh cough.

Chile's Agriculture and Livestock Sanitary Service, SAG, declared a quarantine in the club and adjoining area which means no horse can be moved out or in to the premises, according to press reports from northern Chile.

The club's vet Andres Valenzuela said that thirteen horses are totally quarantined while another 45 with symptoms, out of a drove of 200 thorough bred, have been isolated.

Dr. Valenzuela added that when the first symptoms of the respiratory and highly contagious disease among horses was identified, the Chilean SAG moved in and took blood samples to determine the type of strain, particularly regarding the other 45 horses which are believed to be incubating equine flu.

However it was pointed out that the disease does not affect humans in any way.

Only a few weeks ago Chilean horse clubs and racing tracks were put into alert following rumours that a respiratory disease had been introduced into the country.

In the case of Antofagasta the outbreak has allegedly been tracked to nine horses brought from Santiago to the Club.

"A few days after they were set loose in the Club's paddocks, the symptoms begun", said Dr. Valenzuela.