Dourine

If notifiable disease is suspected, contact DAERA on 0300 200 7840 or your local DAERA Direct Regional Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

Current Situation

Dourine has never been recorded in Northern Ireland. 

Where is this disease found?

The disease occurs in most of Asia, northern and southern Africa, Russia, parts of the Middle East, South America and south-eastern Europe. The disease was confirmed in Italy in May 2011.

Clinical Signs

The main clinical signs are:

• fever
• swelling of genital areas or udders and the surrounding skin
• fluid discharge from genitals (in mares)
• lesions or damage to the skin
• stiffness and weakness
• lack of coordination
• inability to move

Dourine is often fatal, although some animals show no signs and recover from the disease.

What is the public health risk associated with this disease?

There is no public health risk associated with Dourine. It does not affect humans.

How is the disease transmitted?

Dourine spreads through sexual contact. The disease is caused by a parasite which cannot survive outside the animal’s body. The parasite dies quickly in the carcass of affected animals. 

The main method of transmission of Dourine is from animal to animal during breeding. Rarely, foals may be infected via the conjunctiva during parturition or by drinking milk from an infected dam, and may then transmit disease when they are sexually mature. 

Prevention

Measures that you can take to protect your animals.

• Fully comply with legislation when importing animals.
• Isolate imported animals.
• Monitor your animals carefully, if your animals are unwell, contact your private veterinary practitioner.
• Good biosecurity is essential to prevent Dourine entering Northern Ireland. You can help by practising the Biosecurity measures covered in our one page leaflet.

In the event of an outbreak, further information will be provided on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs website at:

Diseases that affect equines | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

Controlling Dourine if Suspected or Confirmed in Northern Ireland

In the event of a notification of Dourine in Northern Ireland DAERA will restrict movement of horses under the following legislation, the Movement of Animals (Restrictions) Order (NI) 2004.

Anyone suspecting the presence of the disease, must immediately contact their Private Veterinary Practitioner (PVP) or inform their DAERA Direct Regional Office.

Single Lifetime Identification Document for Equines (“Horse Passports”)

All equines in Northern Ireland need to have a Single Lifetime Identification Document (commonly referred to as a “horse passport”) to identify them.

Further information on how to obtain a horse passport.

More useful links

Horse Illnesses: Equine Disease Prevention | The British Horse Society

International-Codes-of-Practice-2025_ITBA.pdf

HBLB International Codes of Practice | Home

https://www.woah.org/en/disease/dourine/