( ADVICE FROM THE VET ) Equine Influenza By Nancy Homewood BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS What is Equine Flu?
Equine Flu is a highly contagious virus of the upper respiratory system in horses. It is transmitted between horses via the release of respiratory droplets through direct or indirect ontact (i.e on personal clothing) The virus causes damage to the lining of the cells and microscopic hairs in the upper respiratory tract. The compromise to the upper respiratory tract can lead to secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia in the horse.
Equine flu is endemic in the United Kingdom and is a major cause of respiratory disease in the horse around the world. Current viruses belong to the sub type H3N8 and due to the surface glycoprotein mutations, undergoes antigenic shifts. This allows the virus to avoid immunity that has been acquired from previous vaccination or immunity. Because of this, as in humans, vaccine strains are updated regularly. The current OIE recommendations are for Equine Flu Vaccinations to include Equine Flu Florida Claude 1 and 2
Symptoms of Flu Harsh, dry cough
Pyrexia (raised temperature) Nasal discharge Laboured Breathing Lethargy
Loss of Appetite
In fully vaccinated horses, these symptoms are usually fairly transient and will only last 2-3 days. In unvaccinated horses, the symptoms will persist for longer due to lack of immunity to flu. Unvaccinated, young, elderly or compromised horses may also be more likely to develop secondary infections and complications from the flu virus.
Spread of Flu
Flu is transmitted via respiratory droplets from an infected horse. These can pass directly between horses in contact, or can be transmitted via clothing, tack, buckets etc. The virus can spread quickly and very easily between horses, with up to 100% of horses being affected if unvaccinated. Horses will usually show symptoms within 1-5 days of coming into contact with the virus. The virus can only live for a limited time outside the host, and normal detergents should be sufficient to kill it.
Diagnosis of Flu
The most sensitive way to test for Flu is for your vet to take a Nasopharyngeal Swab from the horse’s throat. The sample should be taken no longer than 2-3 days after symptoms have developed, in case of reduced viral shedding. Blood samples can also be taken to detect antibody changes to flu. Two samples are needed to be taken, 2 weeks apart, to detect a rising antibody titre if the horse has been exposed to flu.
Nancy Homewood BV Nancy is an Equine V Advanced V
20 MARCH/APRIL 2019
etMed CertAVP MRCVS et at Hook Norton V
Treatment for Flu
In vaccinated horses, flu is fairly transient and fit horses should recover quickly. In unvaccinated horses, flu can last for longer and cause more complications. As flu is a virus, most treatment is symptomatic. This may include Anti- Inflammatories to reduce inflammation and fever and bronchodilators to improve respiratory health. Secondary infections such as pneumonia will require antimicrobials and if the horse becomes dehydrated, fluid therapy and intensive care may be necessary. Due to the high shedding of the virus from an infected horse, horses showing symptoms, or those that have been diagnosed with flu should be isolated.
Prevention of Flu Vaccination
Vaccination for Equine Flu will provide your horse with good protection against Equine Flu. Most governing bodies for competing horses eg racing, eventing, dressage will require your horse to be fully vaccinated for flu in order for them to be able to
attend and compete at competitions. It is your responsibility to ensure your horse is fully vaccinated for flu. A lapse in the vaccination course will require your horse to re-start their vaccinations. If your horse were to contract flu whilst vaccinated, the symptoms will be less severe and relatively short in duration. Your horse will also shed less virus, meaning that other horses in contact will be exposed to less virus than an unvaccinated horse who contracts flu.
Isolation
New arrivals to yards should be isolated from other horses for a minimum of 3 weeks. In an ideal scenario, this isolation facility will be at least 25 meters from other horses on the yard, with no shared air space (i.e not in the same barn/ building) Confirm that a new arrival is fully inoculated for Flu before it arrives at the yard.
Bio security/Hygiene
Don’t allow horses to share haynets, water buckets, grooming kits etc at gatherings of horses eg rallies, competitions, hunting. Try to avoid contact with any horse other than your own. Use alcohol hand washed in between handling different horses.
Monitor your horse’s temperature daily. A horse’s temperature is likely to rise before they show any other symptoms- an early alarm bell that your horse may be becoming ill.
Due to the recent cases of Equine Influenza in the UK, the current advice is to vaccinate your horse for flu if it has not had a vaccination in the last 6 months. Some of the governing bodies for equine sports have also recently changed their guidelines for vaccination protocols. If you are in any doubt about your horses vaccination status, please contact your veterinary surgeon for advice.
eterinary Group, Oxfordshire. Nancy is an RCVS Certificate holder in eterinary Practice and she has a special interest in Equine Medicine, Dentistry and Anaesthesia. For the latest news
visitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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