Equine flu outbreak stops British horse racing interwoven

Three vaccinated horses had tested positive for the disease in an active racing yard, forcing the sport's ruling body, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), to call off four scheduled meetings Thursday.

But the ban has been extended over fears the outbreak could have spread, with horses from the affected stables taking part in race meetings Wednesday.

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'Whilst no further positive tests have been received, at least three more days are required before it will be possible to make a decision about whether it is safe to resume racing,' the latest BHA statement read.

Symptoms can take up to three days to manifest, meaning any decision to continue racing will be delayed until February 11.

'This precautionary approach is intended to ensure we put the health of the horse population and control of the virus first, and avoid any unnecessary risk that might come from returning to racing too quickly,' the statement continued.

READ: 'You go into your own soul' -- Frankie Dettori on riding world's top horses

What is equine flu?

Equine influenza is a highly infectious disease that can affect horses, mules and donkeys across the world.

The disease -- which can cause respiratory problems -- usually spreads between horses in close contact and can be airborne across short distances.

Although chances of fatality are low in healthy thoroughbreds, young foals and unhealthy horses are in danger of complications.

There are no known consequences for humans exposed to the flu.

READ: No mere 'Beast of Burden' -- Ronnie Wood enters horse in Grand National

All British race horses have been vaccinated against the disease, which means the outbreak poses a worrying threat.

'The fact that the cases have been identified in vaccinated horses presents a cause for significant concern over welfare and the potential spread of the disease and the action to cancel racing has been viewed as necessary,' read the original BHA statement Wednesday.

The meetings called off Thursday were at Huntingdon, Doncaster, Ffos Las and Chelmsford.

The meetings called off Thursday were at Huntingdon, Doncaster, Ffos Las and Chelmsford. 'Whilst no further positive tests have been received, at least three more days are required before it will be possible to make a decision about whether it is safe to resume racing,' the latest BHA statement read. The meetings called off Thursday were at Huntingdon, Doncaster, Ffos Las and Chelmsford. The disease -- which can cause respiratory problems -- usually spreads between horses in close contact and can be airborne across short distances. What is equine flu? What is equine flu? Visit CNN.com/Sport for more news, features and video READ: 'You go into your own soul' -- Frankie Dettori on riding world's top horses The disease -- which can cause respiratory problems -- usually spreads between horses in close contact and can be airborne across short distances. The meetings called off Thursday were at Huntingdon, Doncaster, Ffos Las and Chelmsford. But the ban has been extended over fears the outbreak could have spread, with horses from the affected stables taking part in race meetings Wednesday. 'This precautionary approach is intended to ensure we put the health of the horse population and control of the virus first, and avoid any unnecessary risk that might come from returning to racing too quickly,' the statement continued. All British race horses have been vaccinated against the disease, which means the outbreak poses a worrying threat. The disease -- which can cause respiratory problems -- usually spreads between horses in close contact and can be airborne across short distances. 'This precautionary approach is intended to ensure we put the health of the horse population and control of the virus first, and avoid any unnecessary risk that might come from returning to racing too quickly,' the statement continued. The disease -- which can cause respiratory problems -- usually spreads between horses in close contact and can be airborne across short distances. 'Whilst no further positive tests have been received, at least three more days are required before it will be possible to make a decision about whether it is safe to resume racing,' the latest BHA statement read. READ: 'You go into your own soul' -- Frankie Dettori on riding world's top horses READ: No mere 'Beast of Burden' -- Ronnie Wood enters horse in Grand National The disease -- which can cause respiratory problems -- usually spreads between horses in close contact and can be airborne across short distances. There are no known consequences for humans exposed to the flu. Symptoms can take up to three days to manifest, meaning any decision to continue racing will be delayed until February 11. 'Whilst no further positive tests have been received, at least three more days are required before it will be possible to make a decision about whether it is safe to resume racing,' the latest BHA statement read. Symptoms can take up to three days to manifest, meaning any decision to continue racing will be delayed until February 11. The meetings called off Thursday were at Huntingdon, Doncaster, Ffos Las and Chelmsford. The disease -- which can cause respiratory problems -- usually spreads between horses in close contact and can be airborne across short distances. 'This precautionary approach is intended to ensure we put the health of the horse population and control of the virus first, and avoid any unnecessary risk that might come from returning to racing too quickly,' the statement continued. Symptoms can take up to three days to manifest, meaning any decision to continue racing will be delayed until February 11.

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