Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can spread rapidly through horse populations. Vaccination and rapid outbreak response protect individual and population welfare.
Equine influenza causes significant acute welfare impacts through high fever, severe respiratory signs, and prolonged recovery. Affected horses are visibly unwell with fever causing depression, nasal discharge, and the distress of severe coughing. Return to full work too quickly after influenza causes secondary cardiac and respiratory complications. The high transmissibility of influenza between horses means individual cases in competitive settings can trigger large outbreaks affecting many animals. Vaccination programs that are current and compliant with appropriate schedules significantly reduce both individual disease severity and population transmission rates.