With the arrival of autumn rains combined with temperatures exceeding 20°C, the proliferation of insects, particularly the Culex mosquito, increases, with an increase in its breeding sites.

This mosquito is the vector for transmission of the West Nile virus between birds (migratory and sedentary), which act as reservoirs for the virus.

Also, the mosquito harboring the virus transmits it by bite to humans, causing flu-like symptoms, and to other domestic mammals, including horses, causing fever and nervous disorders.

These accidental hosts are epidemiological dead ends for the disease and therefore do not contribute to the spread of the virus, and there is no transmission of the virus between humans or horses.

In Tunisia, West Nile fever has been diagnosed in humans and horses since 2003. In recent years, the disease has been confirmed by laboratories in humans and horses (the latest in 2024), with cases of mortality or sequelae of nervous system damage.

West Nile fever is a notifiable disease that does not place the horse in isolation or quarantine the stable.

How to recognize the disease

"My horse is behaving strangely" including:

- Ataxia (impaired coordination of movements) and locomotor difficulties that can lead to paralysis,

- Depression or, conversely, hyperexcitability, as in rabies, but without hypersalivation. This is why West Nile fever is often diagnosed in the laboratory after rabies is suspected,

- Muscle tremors,

- Hyperthermia (temperature > 38.5°C) and a decline in general condition.

Cases recover within 20 to 30 days, with sequelae that can persist for up to 6 months after infection.

How to combat this disease

The vaccine against this disease has proven effective in countries where it is marketed, which is not the case in Tunisia.

Other preventive measures are employed and consist of minimizing horses' contact with mosquitoes during high-risk periods (i.e., summer and autumn):

- Bring horses inside closed buildings before the end of the day and take them outside after dawn (i.e., outside periods of peak mosquito activity).

- Place mosquito nets at the entrances to stables.

- Natural or dynamic ventilation of stables,

- Avoid lighting the boxes and the stable,

- Install insect traps in stables and/or the surrounding environment and use larvicidal insecticides,

- Eliminate migratory bird nests, place chicken coops and ornamental birds away from stables,

- Use repellents on horses, while changing the molecules to prevent insect resistance.

- Limit stagnant water as much as possible (tarpaulins, ruts, trampling areas, flowerpots, tires, etc.).

- Clean water troughs regularly.

- Install a full, fine-mesh mosquito net cover impregnated with a repellent product.

As per the FEI Veterinary Regulations, equine influenza vaccination details for FEI Horses present at FEI Events must be registered in the FEI HorseApp in addition to the horse’s passport.

1- What changes in 2026?

As of January 2026, the digital registration of vaccination details will be enforced.

 If a FEI Horse is presented at an FEI Event in 2026 without valid equine influenza vaccination details correctly registered in the FEI HorseApp (i.e. all new vaccination details must be registered in the FEI HorseApp by a veterinarian on the day of vaccination and in presence of the horse), the Person Responsible will be sanctioned in accordance with Art. 1002 of the FEI Veterinary Regulations.

2- Between January and 30 June 2026:

It is an educational transition with no sanctions

• The system will check whether the vaccination details are correctly registered in the FEI HorseApp.
• If not, the Athlete will receive an email notification explaining that the requirements were not fulfilled to highlight non-compliance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations.
• No fines will be issued during this period.

3- As of 1 July 2026:

• From 1 July 2026, if a horse is presented at an FEI Event without its equine influenza vaccination details correctly registered in the FEI HorseApp, the Person Responsible (the Athlete) will be notified of their sanction and receive a fine in accordance with the FEI Veterinary Regulations.

Fines will be issued to the National Federation of the Person Responsible.

FEI Jumping Rules Art. 259 - Veterinary Examination Protocol

Following its unveiling at the FEI General Assembly in Hong Kong in November 2025, the Equipass mobile application was launched on 26 January, marking a major step forward for the Equine Digital Passport. 

Equipass is an important milestone to improve the movement of horses, developed by the FEI Veterinary & Equine Welfare and Technology Operations departments as part of a public‑private partnership with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), following an International Horse Sport Confederation (IHSC) agreement that tasked the FEI with creating the tool.

The application provides a single point of access for all FEI-registered horses, including those not active for 2026, allowing users to explore their horse’s digital passport in real-world conditions.

Users can log in with their existing FEI ID to access data already linked via the FEI HorseApp and FEI Database.

Equipass offers quick access to identification details, digital documentation, vaccination records, and other key features.

The focus in 2026 is on familiarisation, enabling users to explore the app and see how it can support daily horse management. Additional languages will be introduced in the near future, and new features will be implemented progressively throughout 2026.

National Federations and their members are encouraged to engage with the app and share feedback through the upcoming user survey. Your input will help guide future updates and ensure Equipass meets the needs of the equestrian community.

The Equipass mobile application is available on the Google Play and Apple Store.

For questions or more information, including an overview of planned features for this year, please visit the Equipasswebsite. https://www.equine-passport.com/

(From the FEI newsletter)