NEW AHS DIRECTIVE 1 AUGUST 2024

1 August 2024
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:
i) For competition purposes in the AHS infected zone, horses must have received
at least one 1 and one AHS 2 vaccine between 1 June 2023 and 1st December
2025.
ii) 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.
iii) 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).
iv) 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).
v) AHS vaccines must be supplied and administered by a veterinarian, who is
required to sign and stamp the passport.
vi) 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
invalidated, making the horse ineligible to compete and compromising its
welfare. Research has shown that leaving a longer interval between vaccines
is better for producing greater immunity.
vii) In the AHS infected zone, it is strongly recommended that horses are not
vaccinated during periods of high midge prevalence due to the risk of vaccine
virus transmission by the midge vector.
viii) AHS vaccination is only allowed in the AHS controlled area between 1st June
and 31st October each year due to the transmission risk.
Kind regards
Sharlene Venter
Secretary General - SAEF

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