Posted: 22nd February 2019 | Back to news feed
Equine Influenza Virus (Horse Flu) – caused by strains of Influenza A Some useful information from GHS Direct www.ghs-direct.com
Incubation period: 1-5 days.
Transmission: Airborne droplets that spread in the air by infected animals coughing and spluttering the virus. Ill horses pass the virus on in the atmosphere and other horses acquire the virus through inhalation. It is also spread via hand contact and equipment. The virus is a highly contagious, infectious disease that spreads rapidly. Cross-species transmission can occur in dogs.
Signs to look out for:
High fever (up to 106 °F (41 °C)), Nasal discharge, Hacking dry cough, loss of appetite, depression and weakness. Secondary infections may include pneumonia.
Severely affected horses can take up to 6 months recovery time. Horses that are mildly affected can recover within 2 to 3 weeks’ time and horses that become immune may not show signs but will still shed the virus.
Diagnosis:
The virus is detected from throat and nasal cavity swabs.
Treatment:
Plenty of rest, nursing and anti-inflammatory medicines. Horses usually recover fully. However, this can be fatal in older horses and young foals. Long rest and recuperation periods are advised which can take up to several months.
Prevention:
Vaccination (annually, and booster every 6 months for race horses).
Horses don’t have antibodies to protect them against Equine Flu Virus, therefore, it’s important to vaccinate!
Good hygiene practices are a must. So keep clean and remember viruses can survive on surfaces from hours to days, they can be passed from horse to horse via your hands, your clothing, your boots, shared tools and equipment. Try to wash your hands with soap or use an alcohol hand gel to sanitise your hands if water is not easily accessible (pumps available around the yard are a good idea).
Dedicate a set of tools and buckets to use only with your own horse and especially with a sick horse. Do not share equipment as the virus can survive on surfaces for several hours to possibly days. Use your own equipment,especially when you’re away from home. If you must share an item, make sure you clean it first with a disinfectant solution or disinfectant wipe before using it on your horse.
Avoid communal water troughs and buckets. Again the virus can survive in water for hours or days. Take your own buckets to shows and meets, and keep your horse away from public troughs.
Isolation for two weeks is also good practice, especially when horses are being moved to a new environment. Keep horses safe.
The virus is spread by infected, coughing horses in addition to contaminated buckets, brushes, tack and other stable equipment. Regular and thorough cleaning and disinfecting is required. Reduce cross contamination and do not share items or equipment throughout the yard – try to have dedicated buckets and tools etc. Also, try not to let the horse hang their head out over the stable door into the environment.
Like all influenza viruses, they mutate and change over time. Vaccines play an important role and do need to be updated to remain effective. Surveillance and labs will keep case information as a way of managing and updating preventative vaccines.
It’s important we all do what we can to minimise the spread and to also communicate effectively with vets and each other in order to notify and identify outbreaks which will help to minimise the spread of flu to others.
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