7 August 2024

URGENT UPDATE IN RED

UPDATED AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS (AHS) VACCINATIONS

In light of the continuing shortage of the African horse sickness (AHS) vaccine, the SAEF issues the following updated directive for competition purposes:

1. For competition purposes in the AHS infected zone, horses must have received at least one 1 and one AHS 2 vaccine between 1 June 2022 and 1st December 2025.

For movement into the Western Cape, a horse must have received its AHS Vaccines within 24 months of entry.

2. Horses residing in the AHS controlled area within the AHS free and surveillance zones of the Cape do not require AHS vaccination in order to compete in any of the zones within the AHS controlled area. However, should these horses leave the AHS controlled area, they will be required to have been vaccinated against AHS as described in i) above.

3. Horses residing within the AHS protection zone require AHS vaccination in order to compete both within the AHS controlled area and, within the AHS infected zone as described in i).

4. The only vaccine accepted for competition purposes is the Onderstepoort Biological Products vaccine, as it is currently the only registered vaccine against AHS in terms of the ‘Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act 1947 (Act 36 of 47).

5. AHS vaccines must be supplied and administered by a veterinarian, who is required to sign and stamp the passport.

6. The current AHS vaccine is an attenuated live vaccine supplied in two bottles AHS1 and AHS 2. The two vaccine bottles must be administered at least 3 weeks apart. If vaccines are given less than 3 weeks apart, both vaccines are