A young foal has been euthanized due to severe respiratory illness contracted in the current outbreak of equine influenza among French sport horse farms. In general, however, the situation is stabilizing and has been well controlled, according to the RESPE (Réseau d’Epidémio-Surveillance en Pathologie Equine, or the Epidemiological Surveillance Network for Equine Diseases) in Caen, France.

Only four farms, all in the "bluegrass" horse breeding region of Normandy, have been affected since the first diagnosis was announced May 4, RESPE officials stated in recent press releases. "This is only one additional farm over the past 10 days, whereas normally we could have expected several dozens of farms being contaminated," one of the releases read.

RESPE attributes the low contamination rate to the "consciousness" and "professionalism" of veterinarians, farm managers and owners, and event organizers, the release added.

In particular, competing horses at the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Nations Cup show jumping event in La Baule, France, were at risk of exposure which could have threatened to spread the disease internationally. However, a "stage-by-stage approach" of the risk, as it developed, during the event may have contributed to successful prevention, according to FEI veterinary director Graeme Cooke, MA, VetMB, MRCVS