The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has approved a South African-developed diagnostic test for African horse sickness (AHS), a potentially deadly horse disease.

Previously, it took a minimum of two weeks to obtain the diagnostic test results. However, the new test, by Alan Guthrie, BVSc, MedVet, PhD, and colleagues at the University of Pretoria Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Equine Research Centre, takes four hours to complete.

“Diagnostic testing for animal diseases is one of the cornerstones of international trade,” Guthrie said. “Because we can now determine the AHS status of a horse in hours, it can reduce the time our horses spend in pre-export quarantine.”

At the recent OIE General Assembly, held in Paris, France, 181 OIE member countries voted on the adoption of international standards in the field of animal health, especially relating to international trade. The Guthrie RT-PCR Test is now officially validated by the OIE for certification of individual animals prior to movement