After affecting racing in Western India, Kolkata and New Delhi, the dreaded Equine Influenza seems to have arrived in Karnataka. The first reports emanating from the Kunigal Stud Farm on Friday evening, confirmed that quite a few horses were running fever and showing signs of this infection. The authorities at the Farm had taken blood samples for testing, and the results would be known in the next couple of days. They were quick to inform the Race Clubs in Mysore and Bangalore, and emergency meetings were held at these centres to combat this possible problem. Since there has been no bar on movement of horses within the country,the arrival of this virus in Karnataka can not be attributed to any specific reason. The fact that this virus can spread through the air within certain parameters, makes it extremely difficult to contain. Sunday morning saw alarm bells being sounded at the Mysore Race Club. More than 20 horses had been brought to the equine hospital with high fever. The symptoms were pretty obvious. The racing scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled, and further racing activities have been put on hold till further notice. It is reported that another twenty cases were reported on Monday morning. This is a clear indication that the problem is going to become more serious in the coming days. The Stewards at this Club have asked the trainers to refrain from working their horses in order to conserve their energies. There was normal activity at the Bangalore Turf Club this morning. Professionals were keeping their fingers crossed, and the authorities were hoping that there would be no such problem at this centre. Horses were given work to prepare them for Saturday's meeting. The Bangalore 1000 Guineas is scheduled to be run on that day. The veterinary doctors at the Club confirmed that there was no such problem at Bangalore so far, and none of the thoroughbreds had been brought to them with tell-tale symptoms. It is reliably learnt that the Hyderabad Race Club has imported specific vaccine to combat this problem , and the horses are likely to be given the same in the next couple of days. The fact that horses have to be rested for a minimum of two weeks from the date of administering the dosage, the same would result in racing activities at Hyderabad being stopped for a minimum of three weeks. An announcement to this effect is likely to be made by the Stewards of the Hyderabad Race Club.