How Do Horses Catch Equine Flu?

What is equine influenza? Equine influenza is one of the most common illnesses seen by horse veterinarians in the United States. It is an airborne disease that is spread mainly through horses coughing. An infected horse can spread the germs to horses that are up to 160 feet away.

How do horses get equine flu?

Equine influenza virus spreads easily through contact with infected horses and via contact with infected clothing, equipment, brushes, tack, etc. Some horses do not show any outward signs of infection, but can shed the virus and infect susceptible horses.

How do you prevent equine influenza in horses?

Prevention of influenza requires hygienic management practices and vaccination. Exposure can be reduced by isolation of newly introduced horses for 2 wk. Numerous vaccines are commercially available for prevention of equine influenza.

Can horses catch the flu?

Animals – including horses, pigs and dogs – can be infected with multiple influenza viruses and have the potential to act as “mixing vessels,” generating new flu strains that could infect people.

Can a vaccinated horse get equine flu?

This has led to cases where vaccinated horses can suffer with flu. However, vaccinated horses will not be as severely affected and will suffer for less time compared to unvaccinated horses⁵. They will also shed less of the virus, reducing the risk of spread to others².

How often should a horse be vaccinated for equine influenza?

Vaccination is often given as a combination vaccine with equine influenza. A primary course of two vaccinations is given 4-6 weeks apart, followed by a booster in 12 months. Subsequent vaccinations are usually given every 2 years.

How long does equine flu virus live on surfaces?

The equine influenza virus can live up to two days on hard surfaces such as buckets or stall surfaces, but it is easily killed with soap and water or disinfectant solutions.

What do you give a horse with the flu?

Horses should be rested 1 wk for every day of fever, with a minimum of 3 wk rest (to allow regeneration of the mucociliary apparatus). NSAIDs are recommended for horses with a fever >104°F (40°C). Antibiotics are indicated when fever persists beyond 3–4 days or when purulent nasal discharge or pneumonia is present.

Where did equine flu start?

The first cases of the disease were reported from Ontario, Canada. By October 1, 1872, the first case occurred in Toronto. All the streetcar horses and major livery stables were affected within only three days. By the middle of October, the disease had reached Montreal, Detroit, and New England.

How serious is equine flu?

How Serious Is It If My Horse Gets Equine Flu? It can be particularly serious in unvaccinated animals, or those that are young, stressed, elderly, or have chronic conditions that might affect their ability to fight infection. It’s rarely fatal but can cause long-term respiratory issues and poor performance.

What vaccines do horses need every year?

To recap, your horse should at least receive EWT/WN and Rabies vaccinations once a year. In general, we recommend that your horse receive EWT/WN, PHF/Rabies, Strangles, and Flu/Rhino in the Spring, and PHF and Flu/Rhino in the Fall.

How long does it take for a horse to recover from equine influenza?

Treatment for equine influenza involves treating the symptoms and allowing your horse to rest. Just like the human flu virus, there is no cure for equine influenza. At least 6 weeks of rest are recommended in order for the damaged liner of the upper respiratory tract to adequately heal.

What vaccines do horses need every 6 months?

A “5-way” (EEE/WEE, Tetanus, Influenza, and Rhino) vaccine is administered to 4-H, exhibition, and breeding or boarding barn horses. Depending on the risk, these vaccines may be repeated in 6-month intervals.

How often should a horse be wormed?

Most horses only need to be dewormed once or twice a year. Before deworming in the spring, we recommend having a fecal egg count (FEC) done. This procedure allows us to measure the number of worm eggs a horse is shedding in its feces. Based on the results, we will recommend whether you need to deworm your horse.

How far can equine flu travel in the air?

Equine influenza is a highly contagious virus that can quickly spread amongst horses. The virus can travel for up to 5km in air droplets expelled by infected horses via coughing or sneezing.

Can equine influenza spread to dogs?

Because all genes of the canine isolate were of equine influenza virus origin, we concluded that the entire genome of an equine influenza virus had been transmitted to the dog.

What cures a flu quickly?

The CDC recommends baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), peramivir (Rapivab), or zanamivir (Relenza). The drugs work best when you get them within 48 hours of your first symptoms. They may shorten the time you are sick and make your symptoms milder if you take the medicine early on.

What helps beat the flu?

If you do come down with the flu, these measures may help ease your symptoms:

1. Drink plenty of liquids. Choose water, juice and warm soups to prevent dehydration.
2. Rest. Get more sleep to help your immune system fight infection.
3. Consider pain relievers.

What are the first signs of strangles in horses?

What are the clinical signs of strangles? The incubation period for strangles is 3 to 8 days, at which point clinical signs, including lethargy, anorexia, fever, nasal discharge, and swollen lymph nodes with abscess formation may appear.

Can humans get equine encephalitis?

The eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a rare illness in humans and only a few cases are reported in the United States each year. Most illnesses occur in the Northeastern Atlantic states or the Gulf Coast states.

What to do if your horse has a cold?

If your horse catches a cold, they will need a lot of rest, fluids, and nutrients to help them recover. An infected horse should be isolated in a small stall, where they can still be comfortable but movement is limited. Feed them soft, moistened foods that are easy to swallow, such as soaked hay and bran mash.