Lifting of Quarantine at Ksar Saïd Equestrian Track
The quarantine imposed on the Ksar Saïd equestrian track in the Manouba governorate was lifted last week, following a decision by regional governor Mahmoud Chaab. The equestrian society announced the resumption of racing and established a set of procedures to be respected.
Background
This decision comes after the quarantine was imposed at the end of September, following the registration of a limited number of cases of equine rhinopneumonitis virus. This had led to the suspension of racing and other activities, as well as a ban on entering and leaving the track.
Sanitary and Preventive Measures
The society has imposed a set of sanitary and preventive measures, which require participants to:
- Present a certificate of disinfection of the horse transport vehicle, signed by a veterinarian.
- Enter the track through a specially designed passage for wheel disinfection, set up at the entrance as a preventive measure to limit the spread of infection.
- Present the horse's health monitoring document before events, signed by the owner or trainer, certified by the treating veterinarian, and submitted to the official veterinarian and racing delegates before participation.
Commitments
In return, the society has committed to:
- Providing a fully disinfected stable for horses arriving at the track.
- Disinfecting all technical buildings and equipment used on the day of the race.
Ongoing Efforts
These measures are part of the ongoing efforts deployed since the detection of cases. The society has committed to coordinating with the veterinary services of the Regional Delegation for Agricultural Development and in collaboration with the Mixed Professional Union of Equines and the Syndicate of Horse Owners and Breeders in Tunisia, which have contributed to logistical and preventive support through the acquisition of disinfection materials and the installation of the dedicated passage for truck disinfection, as well as efforts to raise awareness among sector professionals, including breeders, trainers, and owners.
Regional Commission's Role
This follows the implementation by the Regional Sanitary Monitoring Commission, which ensured precise monitoring of the health situation, of a set of necessary preventive procedures. The commission emphasized the need to comply with and respect these procedures, particularly regarding biosafety within the track, including continued disinfection efforts, dedication of an isolation area for incoming horses, and verification of their health status for three days.
Veterinary Surveillance
The society's contract veterinarians have committed to rigorous monitoring of the situation and surveillance of the respect of necessary preventive measures, to ensure a resumption of racing without new interruptions.
