(Originally appeared in The Chronicle of the Horse on November 16, 2022: “Thermal, Wellington To Institute Rapid PCR Testing To Protect Against EHV-1”.)
Desert International Horse Park in Thermal and Wellington International in Florida announced plans to provide on-site rapid PCR testing for EHV-1 during the 2023 winter competition season. The goal was to give veterinarians faster information when horses developed fever or other signs of illness, allowing them to make isolation and management decisions without waiting several days for laboratory results.
During the previous outbreak at Thermal, 29 horses tested positive for EHV-1, including three cases of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM). The outbreak ultimately contributed to the cancellation of several weeks of competition.
Rapid PCR testing was incorporated as one part of a broader biosecurity program that included vaccination requirements, health certificates, temperature monitoring, isolation of febrile horses, enhanced cleaning protocols, and dedicated biosecurity personnel. Research describing the subsequent Thermal season also documented the use of on-site rapid EHV-1 PCR testing for horses presenting with fever.
The rapid testing program used Fluxergy's diagnostic platform to provide information closer to the point of need. Rapid testing was not intended to replace required state regulatory testing, but to help veterinarians identify potential positive cases sooner and respond more quickly when disease was suspected.
For large equestrian events where horses arrive from many locations, faster access to diagnostic information can support earlier isolation and more informed biosecurity decisions.