We would like to make all clients aware of the situation regarding the recent outbreak of Equine Influenza (EI). You may have heard that the British Horse Racing Association today cancelled all racing across Britain due to the outbreak.
During 2019 EI has been reported in Essex, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Suffolk. To date the disease has not been reported in our region.
Our advice for horse owners is in line with the Animal Health Trust official recommendations. Horses may continue to compete but be aware competition organisers may choose to cancel or postpone events. We advise that all horses who wish to compete have received an influenza vaccination within the previous 6 months. Horses who do not compete should maintain their 12 monthly booster vaccinations. Though the vaccine, in some cases, does not potentially fully prevent horses developing the signs it does boost immunity and maximise their chance of recovering from the disease. The good news is that the strain circulating at the moment is the same type as the strain in our vaccine namely Florida Clade 1.
Please see today’s BEF Press release for more news on the outbreak: https://bef.co.uk/News-Detail.aspx?news=equine-flu-outbreak.
More information on the disease itself can be found here: https://www.msd-animal-health-hub.co.uk/Healthy-Horses/Health/EquineInfluenza
If you have any further questions or are concerned your horse is showing abnormal clinical signs associated with the disease please give us a call.
