Vaccination plays a major part in controlling infection, particularly for horses that travel widely, mix with other horses or take part in events. This is the only laboratory that includes clade differentiation (identification of clade 1 vs. clade 2) in standard testing protocols. This allows adequate time for their lungs to recover following the infection. The disease is contagious and occurs worldwide. Equine flu, as equine influenza is commonly known, is caused by various strains of the influenza virus that affect the upper and lower respiratory tract of horses, donkeys and mules. Epidemics often start at equestrian sports where horses congregate in huge numbers. Reluctance to eat or drink 7. If samples are tested too late in the disease process, results may come back negative. Secondary infections may include pneumonia. After incubation at 33° C for three days, the amniotic or allantoic fluids are harvested and tested for haemagglutinating activity. Lethargy 5. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recommendations specify that vaccines should contain contemporary strains (clades 1 & 2 of the Florida sublineage H3N8 EIV strains) unless it is a modified live vaccine. In the event that a vaccinated horse becomes infected, disease is less severe and vaccinated horses shed the virus for fewer days. Equine Influenza will typically resolve on its own without treatment other than symptom management. In a vulnerable group of horses, morbidity can be as high as 100%. Small yellow birds... Cat scratch disease is an arthropod-transmitted gram-negative bacterial disease in people and animals. All rights reserved. Symptoms of Equine Influenza . Sick horses can exhibit fever, nasal discharge, cough, lethargy, loss of appetite and weakness. In most instances, the signs disappear within two to three weeks. Influenza viruses are codified according to their host species, type, subtype, and place ad year of isolation. The nasal secretions collected during the acute phase of infection are inoculated into the allantoic or amniotic sacs of 8-12 days -old chick embryos. If animals are not rested adequately, the clinical cour… Rocky Mountain horse (RMH) is one of the most gentle and well-behaved horse breeds of the United States of America. Since respiratory signs of equine influenza are similar to those of other respiratory diseases, infection cannot be diagnosed based on clinical signs alone. Most horses recover within one to two weeks, but the dry cough may last much longer. Further testing may include a complete blood count, urinalysis, and nasal swabs. H stands for hemagglutinin and N for neuraminidase. Equine influenza virus spreads easily through contact with infected horses and via contact with infected clothing, equipment, brushes, tack, etc. It is important to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure that your horse(s) is on an appropriate vaccination schedule. Preventing horse flu. Proper biosecurity measures, protocols to reduce pathogen transmission, and awareness of signs of illness are important prevention measures. Owners, riders, grooms and trainers can minimize the risk of infection by following vaccination recommendations from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), adhering to proper biosecurity protocols, working closely with their veterinarians, and being proactive (taking temperatures, isolating horses) when they notice possible signs of infection. Equine-2 viruses are more pneumotropic than Equine-1 viruses and have also been associated with myocarditis. Lastly, many horses are asymptomatic shedders of the virus, meaning that they are immune and won’t get sick, but the virus can still replicate and spread to other horses. Depression, loss of appetite, muscle pain and weakness are frequently observed. Outbreaks of the disease are occurring with increased frequency worldwide despite the widespread use of vaccines. 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