Equine Flu cases still a threat

The British Equestrian Federation (BEF) continues to closely monitor the Equine Flu outbreak. The latest statement from the Animal Health Trust (AHT) highlights that it remains a significant threat to the welfare of UK horses – with last week seeing the highest number of confirmed outbreaks in one week since February.

The total number of confirmed outbreaks as reported by the AHT in May 2019 has reached 21. The majority of infected horses are unvaccinated. 

The BEF and BD join the AHT in urging owners to maintain their vigilance and ensure that their vaccination records are up to date. We continue to strongly recommend that if it has been longer than six months since the last vaccination, owners should discuss a booster with their veterinary surgeon.

As the competition season is getting into its busiest period, the number of outbreaks is likely to rise with the movement of horses across the country. It's vital that unvaccinated horses do not mix with other equines due to the increased risk of such an infectious disease spreading.

Our recommendations are based on advice from experts in equine flu and epidemiology with experience in managing previous outbreaks.