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What is equine influenza and how does it spread?
It's a respiratory disease in horses, donkeys and mules. It's not usually fatal, but horses may contract the likes of pneumonia and other serious complications as a result. It's spread through nasal discharge, and the coughing and snorting that go with most chest infections. It is highly contagious. The reactions of horses vary widely. Some develop only a fever and a cough, while others get very sick. It may take a horse a few months to completely recover to full fitness.
Why such big concern about its spread?
In countries such as New Zealand and Australia, which haven't had the disease, there will be no resistance in the local equine population. That means it will spread very quickly and many horses will catch it. The recovery time will create huge disruption to all equine-related sports. Interestingly, New Zealand and Australia are pretty much the only countries left with major equine populations that remain free of the disease in its general population. While most horses get over the disease, veterinarians report more post-infection problems with equine flu than with most other respiratory infections. Heart problems and pneumonia, for example, are not uncommon.
What does the virus do?
It attacks the airway lining, which becomes inflamed and can ulcerate. The animals gets a sore throat and cough as a result. They have trouble clearing mucus from their airways, and areas of damage resulting from the infection are more prone to bacteria infections.
What are all the symptoms?
A high temperature of 39-41deg C (103-106deg F), lasting for one to three days. A dry, harsh-sounding cough that may linger for several weeks. A clear nasal discharge that may turn green or yellow or secondary infections developed. Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, a clear eye discharge, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite. There may be swelling in the lower limbs.
Can people catch it?
No. But they can transfer it from one horse to another, on their hands of their clothing. Mostly, you would expect the disease to spread from just coughing. Once exposed to the virus, a horse is likely to come with the flu in about three days.
Is there a vaccination available?
Yes. In countries where the flu is present, many horses are vaccinated annually. Vaccinated horses can still show symptoms, which these will be much milder than unvaccinated horses.
What are the risks of an outbreak in New Zealand and Australia?
The ease with which horses can be moved around the world these days obviously increases the risk of infection. However, there are quarantine controls, and it helps that the symptoms of equine flu reveal themselves in only three days.
It's a respiratory disease in horses, donkeys and mules. It's not usually fatal, but horses may contract the likes of pneumonia and other serious complications as a result. It's spread through nasal discharge, and the coughing and snorting that go with most chest infections. It is highly contagious. The reactions of horses vary widely. Some develop only a fever and a cough, while others get very sick. It may take a horse a few months to completely recover to full fitness.
Why such big concern about its spread?
In countries such as New Zealand and Australia, which haven't had the disease, there will be no resistance in the local equine population. That means it will spread very quickly and many horses will catch it. The recovery time will create huge disruption to all equine-related sports. Interestingly, New Zealand and Australia are pretty much the only countries left with major equine populations that remain free of the disease in its general population. While most horses get over the disease, veterinarians report more post-infection problems with equine flu than with most other respiratory infections. Heart problems and pneumonia, for example, are not uncommon.
What does the virus do?
It attacks the airway lining, which becomes inflamed and can ulcerate. The animals gets a sore throat and cough as a result. They have trouble clearing mucus from their airways, and areas of damage resulting from the infection are more prone to bacteria infections.
What are all the symptoms?
A high temperature of 39-41deg C (103-106deg F), lasting for one to three days. A dry, harsh-sounding cough that may linger for several weeks. A clear nasal discharge that may turn green or yellow or secondary infections developed. Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, a clear eye discharge, depression, lethargy, loss of appetite. There may be swelling in the lower limbs.
Can people catch it?
No. But they can transfer it from one horse to another, on their hands of their clothing. Mostly, you would expect the disease to spread from just coughing. Once exposed to the virus, a horse is likely to come with the flu in about three days.
Is there a vaccination available?
Yes. In countries where the flu is present, many horses are vaccinated annually. Vaccinated horses can still show symptoms, which these will be much milder than unvaccinated horses.
What are the risks of an outbreak in New Zealand and Australia?
The ease with which horses can be moved around the world these days obviously increases the risk of infection. However, there are quarantine controls, and it helps that the symptoms of equine flu reveal themselves in only three days.