Evaluation of Current Equine Influenza Vaccination Protocols Prior to Shipment, Guided by OIE Standards
Ann Cullinane,
Jacinta Gahan,
Cathal Walsh,
Manabu Nemoto,
Johanna Entenfellner,
Cecilia Olguin-Perglione,
Marie Garvey,
Tao Qi Huang Fu,
Monica Venner,
Takashi Yamanaka,
María Barrandeguy,
Charlene Judith Fernandez
Affiliations
Ann Cullinane
Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 RH93 Johnstown, Ireland
Jacinta Gahan
Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 RH93 Johnstown, Ireland
Cathal Walsh
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick, V94 T9PX Limerick, Ireland
Manabu Nemoto
Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 RH93 Johnstown, Ireland
Johanna Entenfellner
Equine Clinic, School of Veterinary Medicine, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hannover, Germany
Cecilia Olguin-Perglione
Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Virología, De Los Reseros y Dr. Nicolás Repetto S/N, Hurlingham, Buenos Aires B1686IGC, Argentina
Marie Garvey
Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare, W91 RH93 Johnstown, Ireland
Tao Qi Huang Fu
Centre for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Professional and Scientific Services, Animal and Veterinary Service, National Parks Board, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore
Equine Research Institute, the Japan Racing Association, 1400-4 Shiba, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0412, Japan
María Barrandeguy
Escuela de Veterinaria, Universidad del Salvador, Champagnat 1599, Ruta Panamericana km 54.5 Pilar, Buenos Aires B1630AHU, Argentina
Charlene Judith Fernandez
Centre for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Professional and Scientific Services, Animal and Veterinary Service, National Parks Board, 1 Cluny Road, Singapore 259569, Singapore
To facilitate the temporary importation of horses for competition and racing purposes, with a minimum risk of transmitting equine influenza, the World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties, or OIE), formally engaged in a public−private partnership with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Federation for Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to establish, within the context of existing OIE standards, a science-based rationale to identify the ideal time period for equine influenza vaccination prior to shipment. Field trials using vaccines based on different technologies were carried out on three continents. The antibody response post-booster vaccination at intervals aligned with the different rules/recommendations of the OIE, FEI, and IFHA, was monitored by single radial haemolysis. It was determined that 14 days was the optimum period necessary to allow horses adequate time to respond to booster vaccination and for horses that have previously received four or more doses of vaccine and are older than four years, it is adequate to allow vaccination within 180 days of shipment. In contrast, the results indicate that there is a potential benefit to younger (four years old or younger) horses in requiring booster vaccination within 90 days of shipment, consistent with the current OIE standard.