۷berkeh – Raheleh Bahador: The outbreak of a virus in Fazel Horse-Riding Club in Gerash that led to the death of 29 horses was more than a shock; it was seen as a serious warning to the blooming industry in Gerash. Though the vaccine of the Herpes virus, the cause of the deaths, is available in other countries in the world, it is not accessible in Iran.
The news of the death of several horse of unknown causes broke out in February and March 2024. It happened just a few days before holding a national competition. Later lab results showed that a virus called Herpes was the cause of death. But 29 horse with the value of nearly 5 hundred thousand dollars had to die before the disease was contained.
The accurate source and the factor of entrance of the virus, however, is unknown. “Based on some samples sent to several national and international labs, clostridium has been positive and the infection to the virus was reported in some other samples. It seems that the simultaneity of two sources of food and virus have caused the disease,” said Fazel Fathi, the owner of the club, in an interview with Haft-Berkeh news agency.
Fazel Horse-Riding Club is among the oldest ones in Gerash. “Since February 13th ۲۰۲۴, the infection of a horse led to other casualties and it increased gradually. Obviously, the virus had existed in several clubs across the country for a long time which had led to casualties and it has been spreading, but sufficient information has not been provided and the responsible organizations have not reacted effectively.”
The horses were a selected group of the best breeds in Iran, namely Dareh-Shoori and Kurdish horses. “The selected horses were the outcome of twenty years of hard work and experience in the field of horse riding. As genetic supplies, the amount of the damages cannot be easily determined,” said Fazel Fathi.
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