Dutch and Italian officials react on Glanders disease found near Olympic Equestrian Centre in Rio.

The Olympic Equestrian test event in Rio will start only on Friday (7th August), but the action is already going on at the Deodoro Equestrian Centre in the north area of Rio de Janeiro, despite concerns on the Glanders disease that local media in Brazil has reported two weeks ago.

The illness is an infectious disease that occurs primarily in horses by ingestion of food and contaminated water.

This Thursday (August 6th), horses were taken for inspection to see if they are fit to compete on the event.

Most of international federations did not bring their horses for the test event, but the reason given was the cost to bring their top horses to Brazil and the number of cargo flight stops - two or three - they would have to take.

Nevertheless, officials from Holland and Italy Equestrian Federations reacted on the surge of the Glanders disease in Rio.

Maarten van der Heijden, Dutch Equestrian Federation's High Performance Director and International Affairs recognised the problem of the disease but is confident that it will not be an issue for the Olympic Games.

Dr. Marco Eleuteri, Italy's Vet Chief agrees, but pointed out that Glanders is a very contagious disease that can affect humans as well.
The Equestrian test event will go until Sunday, August 9th.

SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Maarten van der Heijden, Dutch Equestrian Federation's High Performance Director and International Affairs

"I think it is a Brazilian problem. But it will not be a problem for the Olympics. But it is a disease that exists in Brazil and it doesn't exist, for example, in Europe. For example, if a horse from abroad - an American horse or an European horse - does get Glanders, it can die from the illness, then he's not allowed to go back to his own country. Then, after the Olympics, he has to stay in Brazil. And we want to take our top horses back to the Netherlands, of course! But they are taking good precautions, So, after this test event, they are closing the stables and the whole area. For one year there will be not horses here so the area is not infected anymore."

SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Marco Eleuteri, Italian Equestrian Federation's veterinary chief

"Of course we are very concerned about this but, as well, we are very confident in the organisation and all the system they set up for prevention of this contagious disease. Because this is a very contagious disease. Also for humans. I mean, this is a very bad one. Very old. In Europe it is eradicated completely. But, still, in some countries it is present. I fell that we are pretty safe because all the systems are working very well."