THE Irish Equine Centre in Johnstown, Co Kildare, has had a second laboratory receive special recognition by the OIE, the veterinary equivalent of the World Health Organisation.

In 2009 the IEC was designated as an OIE ‘reference laboratory’ for equine influenza and Professor Ann Cullinane, the head of the IEC’s Virology Unit, was designated as an OIE expert in this field.

Since then, the IEC remains the location of the only OIE reference laboratory in the Republic of Ireland and one of four OIE reference laboratories for equine influenza in the world (the others are in Kentucky, Newmarket and Berlin).

However, in June of this year the virology unit at the IEC was designated an OIE reference laboratory for equine rhinopneumonitis (equine herpes 1 virus or EHV-1). Professor Ann Cullinane is again designated the OIE expert.

The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney visited the IEC this week to congratulate the staff. While there, the Minister toured the IEC’s laboratories and meet with members of the IEC team.

Sarah McNicholas, chief executive of the IEC, said: “I am extremely proud of the Irish Equine Centre and more specifically of Professor Ann Cullinane and her team in the virology unit who have become world leaders in the control of equine viruses, which represent a major disease threat to horses.

“To have two OIE reference laboratories within the one unit is an immense achievement which is only accomplished when the quality of the research and expertise is exceptional.

“In Ireland we are extremely lucky that our equine population is able to benefit from the knowledge developed by the IEC’s virology unit.”

Professor Ann Cullinane said: “This designation by the OIE illustrates that the Irish have a dedicated laboratory service consistent with the international profile of their horses. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of a professional and committed team Together we will continue to support the Irish and international equine communities through initiatives such as our twinning with the National Veterinary Institute in China and our research programmes on behalf of OIE in partnership with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).”