Workshop on laboratory expertise for equine diseases

Regional workshop on laboratory expertise for equine diseases in Asia and the Pacific

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, founded as OIE) and the equestrian sector have formed a Public Private Partnership (PPP) since 2012, in recognition that international horse movement, particularly for competition horses, is hampered by restrictions that are not in line with WOAH standards.

This PPP cooperation between WOAH and the International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) as a union between the Federation Equestre International (FEI) and the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA) has over time developed several concepts that have found international recognition and acceptance. These include Equine Disease Free Zones (EDFZ) that have been applied in many international events at global, regional and national level and the “high health, high performance” horse concept which is laid down in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (TAHC) Chapter 4.17.

Under this PPP, expert support was also provided regarding the updates of TAHC Chapters and in the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals on the main equine diseases. In addition, research funding for the development of novel vaccines and laboratory tests was provided, and harmonised import health certificates for certain regions were developed and promoted. During this unique cooperation, African horse sickness (AHS) as a disease in 2015 received official status recognition by WOAH.

International horse sport and related movements have seen steady growth and increasing economic importance globally, particularly in Asia, until the incursion of COVID-19. After almost 3 years of standstill for international horse movement, events have started again and there is a need for the work under the PPP to continue. Equestrian events such as the recently concluded Asian Games in China and the forthcoming Asian Championship in Thailand in 2025, respectively, are supported by the PPP and are testimony to the renewed activities in the region.

While the PPP collaboration with WOAH headquarters continues to target global issues, the WOAH Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (RRAP) is providing specific support to this region through a new initiative, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) of the People’s Republic of China. This project builds on previous achievements made specifically in the region such as the development of “roadmaps” by the Veterinary Services, the Equestrian Federations, and the Racing Associations during workshops in Hong Kong in 2019 and in Thailand in January 2024.

Objectives

To bring together Government Veterinary Laboratories and selected private laboratories, the private equestrian sector and selected experts from the participating countries in a face-to-face meeting;
To identify existing laboratory and research capacity in the Region and to present cutting-edge research generated in the Region;
To identify countries in need of upgrading their capacity to become proficient in all relevant diagnostic techniques at least for the “six diseases” proposed to be regulated in the harmonized import health certificate;
To propose an intra-regional training program in which countries in need could benefit from regional existing capacity during dedicated training sessions;
To promote the use of Reference Labs for proficiency tests on equine diseases to regularly assess their diagnostic capabilities. Assess the possibility of conducting laboratory twinning projects;
To discuss the outcomes of the project and future activities.

Expected outcomes

Establishment of a regional coordination mechanism for international horse movement between the public and private sector;
Capacity building on equine diseases, WOAH standards and emergency preparedness;
Improved laboratory capacity to diagnose equine diseases and build laboratory networks in the region;
Proposed harmonized import health certificates;
Presentation of project outputs to partners during Regional Workshops and national meetings.