African horse sickness (AHS) is now one of the four animal diseases–and the only equine disease–for which countries can request a recognition status from the World Animal Health Organization (OIE). The new regulation was adopted during the OIE’s general assembly in late May.

According to an OIE spokesman, the new regulation allows member nations to request an official disease status label for their countries. Countries without animals affected by the disease can be officially declared AHS-free, and those with affected animals can be recognized for their "transparency" with regard to reporting the disease, said an OIE spokesman.

"A country may either lose or enhance its commercial attractiveness in the eyes of potential or existing importing partners, depending on official recognition of its disease status," the OIE said in an online report. "By acquiring and maintaining its official status, a country also demonstrates transparency and helps to promote animal health and public health worldwide, thereby gaining the trust of its partners and of the international community."

The OIE will not, however, give countries AHS status automatically. Individual nations must apply for the recognition by submitting a thorough dossier documenting, among other things, the disease’s history within the country. The OIE grants status labels only during the annual general assembly each May