Biosecurity On Yards byEmily Douglas-Osborn BVSc MRCVS
I
n these uncertain times, there has never been a more important time to discuss good biosecurity, and how you can implement this on your yard to protect horses from infectious disease.
The main infectious diseases that are concerning to horse owners in the UK are predominantly influenza, strangles, equine herpes virus (EHV), and ringworm. Other rarer infectious diseases include equine infectious anaemia (EIA) equine viral arteritis (EVA), Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), African Horse Sickness (AHS), West Nile Virus (WNV) and piroplasmosis. This article will focus mainly on the four commonly seen conditions; however the principles of biosecurity apply to all infectious diseases.
Equine Influenza: Equine Influenza is a virus which is spread through nasal secretions. In favourable conditions, influenza virus can travel on the wind for a distance of up to 5km, so it is important to vaccinate your horses against flu even if they never travel anywhere. Signs of influenza include a high temperature, a hacking cough, nasal discharge, malaise, and loss of appetite. Influenza is not considered life- threatening to healthy adults, however it poses considerable danger to foals, older animals or those with concurrent health issues. All horses should be vaccinated against influenza.
Strangles: Strangles is a bacterial disease caused by Streptococcus equi var equi. It is spread through direct contact with nasal secretions. Horses develop a high temperature, nasal discharge and coughing, look off-colour and have swollen or abscessating lymph nodes. Occasionally, the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body, resulting in ‘bastard strangles’. Some infected horses can become long term carriers and shed the bacteria during times of stress. A new vaccine against Strangles is due to be made available in 2020.
Equine Herpes Virus: EHV is a virus spread via nasal secretions or infected foetal membranes. Most oſten, they experience mild respiratory signs with a high temperature, although some may display no signs at all. EHV can cause neurological signs, such as staggering, urine retention and recumbency, and pregnant mares are also at risk of abortion. Horses can become lifelong carriers and shed the virus during times of stress. Vaccines are available against EHV, and it is particularly important that pregnant mares are vaccinated. Vaccination is generally not recommended in the face of an outbreak, as vaccinating a horse during the incubation stage of the disease may increase the chances of developing neurological signs.
16 June/July 2020
Ringworm: Otherwise known as dermatophytosis, ringworm is caused by fungal Microsporum and Trichophyton species. These lesions may have a typical raised ring-like appearance, however more oſten they present as small patchy areas of hair loss and scurf. It is transmitted via direct contact, and can infect other species, including humans. It is easily treatable, and there is a vaccine available, however it can be prevented easily by implementing good hygiene.
The principles of good hygiene are important to help prevent and reduce the spread of infectious disease. Horses should have their own food and water buckets, grooming kit, rugs and tack, which should all be cleaned regularly. Special care should be taken to disinfect these items if they are borrowed by other horses. Facilities for hand-washing should be available for staff and owners.
All yards should have their own isolation facilities, with separate equipment, food/bedding/water supply, separate protective clothing, and a separate muck heap. Designated staff should look aſter horses in the isolation area, or regular staff should attend to the isolated horses last to prevent the spread of infection. All equipment and stables should be thoroughly disinfected between each horse. When admitting a new horse onto the yard, their vaccination and worming history should be checked, and if no issues are found, he or she should enter an isolation period of at least 3 weeks, with their temperature taken twice daily. During this time, a vet can take blood tests two weeks apart, to ascertain if there is any active infection. Breeding animals should have swabs taken for EIA, EVA and contagious equine metritis. If a new horse spikes a fever of or shows any of the above signs, a vet should be ,C֯ more than 38.5 called immediately. If this is not a new horse already in quarantine, then the affected horse should be moved to isolation. No other horses should be moved immediately. It is useful to have a record of which other horses the affected horse has been in contact with, and
Traffic Light System:
Red Group: Clinically affected horses, high temperatures and clinical signs. Isolate immediately. Follow veterinary advice.
Amber Group: Those directly in-contact with clinically affected horses. Assign designated staff to this group that may not have contact with other groups. Take temperatures twice daily. or higher, move horse to the red group. C֯ If 38.5
Green Group: Those not in any contact at all with clinically affected horses. Assign designated staff to this group that may not have contact with other groups. Take temperatures or higher, move horse to the red C֯ twice daily. If 38.5 group.
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