Can someone explain about the equine flu going round NSW at the moment?

Question

are the horses that have this flu in mortal danger or do they just feel unwell same as humans?will there be lingering side effects once the horse has contracted this?i know the racing industry in panicking,guess they are losing lots of money while they cannot race.but will the horses fully recover?

Answer 1

Equine influenza is a major virus disease that causes flu like symptoms in horses and is from the group of viruses that causes flu in humans. This is a major viral disease present throughout Europe, North America and parts of Asia.

Most horses exposed to the virus will show signs within a period of 1-5 days.

Equine influenza appears similar to a range of other viral respiratory diseases. Viruses that are responsible for coughs and colds in Australia include Equine Herpesvirus, Equine Rhinovirus and Equine Adenovirus. Most of these viruses produce rather mild signs which include a discharge from the nose and coughing. Equine Influenza produces more severe symptoms with horses developing a fever and a dry hacking cough. Horses become ill and are reluctant to eat or drink for several days but usually recover in 2 to 3 weeks.

The virus can be spread easily from horse to horse as a result of droplets and also from nasal discharge and from things like infected brushes and rugs. The disease is very contagious and there is almost 100% infection rate in a population that has been previously unexposed to the virus.

Because it is a virus, there are no drugs that influence the outcome of the disease. However many horses develop secondary infections with bacteria which can lead to pneumonia and other problems. Good nursing care and if necessary, antibiotics to deal with bacterial illness associated with the disease are important parts of treatment. The most important part of dealing with this illness is effective vaccination. Reasonably effective vaccines are now available featuring the two most important types of this virus but horses need to be vaccinated 2-3 times per year to ensure their immune status.

The most likely way that this disease could be introduced into Australia is through an imported horse and horse owners should be aware of this potential if there are any horses introduced onto farms or into stables. The most likely signs will be the rapid spread of a severe respiratory flu like disease which is more severe than the usual virus problems.

Answer 2

Equine flu is not normally fatal although it can be in very young or old horses and those with exisitng repiratory problems.

Horses with flu tend to be unwell (lethargic, hacking cough and nasal discharge) for about 14 days but 90% will make a full recovery without any long term problems.

The main reason the Australians are worried is because horses in AUS are not vaccinated against EI.  They have never had a single case of EI in the country before, so the need for vaccination has never been there.  Unfortunately EI has a 100% infection rate in horses that are unvaccinated, so every horse that is unvaccinated WILL contract the virus if they come into contact with it.

There will be a huge loss of venue for every aspect of the AUS racing and breeding industry.  About 60 shuttle stallions are caught up at the source of the outbreak (the quarantine facility) and they have been banned from moving for 50 days.  The breeding season is due to start tomorrow (1st Sept) so this means the stallions cannot cover any mares until they are released.  This is going to impact on a lot of breeders as they have to decide whether to keep their mare booked to the shuttle stallion ans hope he gets out in time to cover her, or go with a local stallion who may not be as good a sire.

It is estimated that Darley and Coolmore (the two major owners of most of the stallions caught in the quarantine facility) will lose £15million between them in this outbreak.  That does not include the racetracks that are unable to hold meetings, the trainers that are unable to move horses and the bookmakers who have no races to bet on.

It is a very serious time for the AUS racing industry, but all they can do is wait it out.

Answer 3

They are not in mortal dange from the flu itself,it just make them feel poorly,and takes them off the track for a while.

But its the secondary infections that they can get during the flu which is more of a worry,like pnumoia,ect.

The horses will also fuly recover.

Answer 4

here is the latest information:

Wash hands, change clothes to protect horses from flu

Horse owners and workers are urged to follow simple hygiene guidelines to prevent the spread of equine influenza (EI).

People can carry the virus from one horse to another.

Horses can be infected through contact with the virus from human hands and clothing.

If you have contact with horses there are a couple of important things you should do to prevent infecting more horses.

Make sure you change all clothing, shower and wash your hair.

Clothes should be washed in warm or hot soapy water.

EI is readily destroyed by detergents and soaps.

Do not transfer any equipment between horses apart from your own horses, including. halters, bridles, twitches, saddles, horse floats and trucks.

The virus is fragile and exposure to the sun for at least a week plus disinfection will make them safe.

Disinfection requires cleaning of surface dirt  followed  disinfectant applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

If your horse develops any flu-like signs call the NSW EQUINE INFLUENZA HOTLINE [phone].



Transmission of EI to humans exposed to EI has not been reported during outbreaks of the disease in horses.

also go here for more information!!!

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/equine-influenza

above adress wont show up properly. it is /equine-influenza

hope i have helped!!

if your horse is treated if he gets the flue he will recover. as far as i know it is just the flu. no lingering side affects. and only if the horse has a bad respiratory system, is still a foal or infant etc... or is gettin on in age. will they be at risk of dyeing. that is what i have heard. but check out that site. it will tell u everything.

hope your horse/horses are all well

goodluck!