Equine Influenza (Flu)
Equine Influenza (Flu) is an important viral disease of horses worldwide. The disease is caused by Equine Influenza Virus, which is related to the virus which causes outbreaks of human flu every year. The virus mainly affects the respiratory system and can cause fever, lethargy, poor appetite, nasal discharge and a harsh dry cough. The majority of affected horses recover within a few weeks. However, secondary complications due to bacterial infection can lead to pneumonia and very severe, even fatal, disease in some horses. In such cases, full recovery can take several months. The disease is highly contagious and can spread rapidly from horse to horse.
Equine Flu in the UK
Flu is found worldwide, with the exception of a few countries such as Australia and Iceland. Regular outbreaks are reported in the UK, with 10 reports in 2010 below. For this reason, it is vital to ensure that all horses are protected against this important disease. Vaccination is the best way of protecting your horse against flu, and is mandatory for any horse competing under Jockey Club or FEI rules.
On May 11th 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in LINCOLNSHIRE
On May 21st 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in SHROPSHIRE
On June 8th 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in SURREY
On July 15th 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
On August 13th 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
On August 16th 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in WORCESTERSHIRE
On August 25th 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in SOUTH LANARKSHIRE
On September 2nd 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in HAMPSHIRE
On September 3rd 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in CUMBRIA
On November 3rd 2010, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in LEICESTERSHIRE
On June 2nd 2011, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in SOUTH WALES
On October 14th 2011, equine ‘flu’ was diagnosed in EAST SUSSEX
Flu is evolving…..
One of the characteristics of the viruses which cause human and equine flu is that they tend to mutate and change over time. This can cause problems with vaccination, as the strains of flu in the vaccines can go “out of date”, which may result in less effective protection against disease. This is the reason why human flu vaccines are updated every year. It is also recommended that equine flu vaccines are updated regularly, to ensure the closest possible match between the vaccine and the strains of flu virus circulating in the environment.
“Why should I vaccinate?” I hear you cry. Firstly your horse will feel exactly the same as we do when we have the flu – rotten. Also, in becoming infected your horse stands a real chance of infecting many others with the virus. Finally, as you are all probably aware, to compete your horse you will need an up to date passport demonstrating your horse’s up to date vaccination status.
The benefits of vaccination were demonstrated very publicly during the 2007 Australian Equine Influenza outbreak. The horse population in Australia had never been exposed to equine flu before and as such, no horses had been vaccinated. Some infected horses entered an Australian quarantine station near Sydney and the virus escaped. The infection spread rapidly and over 76,000 horses became infected, located on more than 10,000 premises throughout Queensland and New South Wales. Vaccination, along with the restriction of horse movement, stopped this infection in its tracks and prevented the flu virus from spreading all over Australia.
The number of horses vaccinated in the UK is less than 38% and is declining. 70% of a population needs to be vaccinated to prevent an epidemic. If this decline continues we will risk more frequent and larger outbreaks. Please talk to your vet about equine flu vaccination for your horse.
