Horse Movements and International Spread of Disease

Resumé
“Diseases respect no borders” - the number of transport miles and their relevance to the international equine disease situation for example with regard to EIA and glanders, the importance of disease awareness, prevention and biosecurity measures will be discussed.

International movements of horses and their biological products are among the most important means of spread of equine infectious diseases. History shows that passive surveillance based on detection and reporting of disease or pathogens by practicing clinicians and clinical laboratories may play a pivotal role in early detection of disease as a precondition for successful outbreak control. Consequently, it is essential that clinicians are well informed about national and international equine infectious disease outbreaks and trends in equine movements. They need to understand preventive and control measures and legislation. National and international reporting systems and mutual collaboration are essential information dissemination. […]