Equine Influenza
Equine Influenza (EI) is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease of horses. There have been frequent outbreaks in the UK in recent years.
Clinical signs
These include-
- Coughing
- Fever
- Nasal discharge
- lack of appetite
- Lethargy/poor performance
- Enlarged lymph nodes
How is the disease transmitted?
Equine Influenza is an airborne virus and when an infected horse coughs, droplets are released into the air. EI can also be spread via direct contact from horse to horse or indirectly, for example by handlers, equipment, feed buckets, sharing horse transportation and in stables that have not been sufficiently cleaned and disinfected between horses
How to Test for Equine Influenza
Both Rossdales Laboratories in Newmarket (funded by the HBLB Scheme), and the Irish Equine Centre in Kildare (funded by DAFM), provide free PCR testing for EI of nasopharyngeal swabs from horses in Northern Ireland.
A prompt diagnosis helps to ensure affected horses are treated correctly, and to ensure successful implementation of control measures, limiting the spread of EI and its impacts on the industry and welfare of horses.
Veterinary epidemiologists at Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS), based at Cambridge University, will be able to assist equine vets with relevant outbreak advice free of charge.
Vets can enrol in the HBLB UK Equine Influenza Surveillance Scheme at https://equinesurveillance.org/fluenrol/
DAERA encourages horse owners and vets to be vigilant in looking for the symptoms of EI, and in diagnosing and reporting disease.
Prevention
Good biosecurity and hygiene is essential to help prevent the spread of disease.
Vaccination remains the most important way in reducing the risk of Equine Influenza.
Further Information
Further information on where and when Equine Influenza has occurred in the UK and the rest of the world can be found at Equiflunet Viewer (equinesurveillance.org)
Equine Disease Prevention (The British Horse Society)