Rumours circulating at the British Nations' Cup showjumping fixture in Hickstead that the Dublin Horse Show might be in doubt due to the threat of swamp fever were quashed by an RDS spokesman yesterday. The fever has already killed more than 20 horses in Ireland.
RDS chief executive Michael Duffy emphasised last night that the Dublin show would be going ahead as planned from August 9th to 13th.
"We are monitoring the situation and we are in constant contact with the Department of Agriculture and Food," Mr Duffy told The Irish Times yesterday. "But, as matters currently stand, the Dublin Horse Show is definitely going ahead."
Swamp fever, or equine infectious anaemia, is normally transmitted solely by biting insects, but it is thought that the disease can be spread from one infected horse to another in close confines.
In total, 21 horses have died at premises around the country.
Five infected horses have been humanely destroyed at Troytown Equine Hospital, one of the largest veterinary hospitals in the country. In an attempt to prevent the further spread of the disease, Troytown's three partners voluntarily closed the premises on July 17th, two days before an official shutdown was ordered.
The Department of Agriculture has already carried out over 2,000 tests on at-risk horses. Three more positive results, confirmed on Wednesday, brought the total number of horses infected in Ireland in the last month to 12.
Comparisons with the 2001 foot-and-mouth epidemic, which played havoc with racing and the movement of horses, are already being made, although no restrictions are currently being planned.
However, the sport's ruling body, Horse Racing Ireland, has emphasised the danger of the disease. HRI chief executive Brian Kavanagh said: "This is a potentially very serious situation for racing."
Swamp fever is a disease usually transmitted through blood-sucking insects, although blood-contaminated instruments can also be to blame. No vaccine has been discovered, although the disease is no danger to humans.
Yesterday, the Department of Agriculture confirmed that restrictions had been placed on 14 premises. The number of animals restricted by the department's quarantine controls is 280.