Quarantine for Equine Influenza

Equine influenza is highly contagious. Horses that come in contact with large numbers of horses (such as competition horses) are especially at risk and should be vaccinated. The incubation period is about one to three days. Quarantine is an important strategy to prevent, control and stop the spread of influenza.

  1. About Equine Influenza

    • Equine influenza, an infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, is most commonly diagnosed in horses between 1 and 5 years old, according to The Horse magazine. Most horses will recover and return to normal work within three to four weeks. Recovery will be longer for complicated cases or for horses that develop secondary infections.

    Quarantine

    • Because influenza is highly contagious, infected horses should be immediately isolated from healthy horses. Do not share feed buckets, grooming aides or any other supplies and equipment between healthy and infected horses. For boarding barns in which horses are frequently coming and going, quarantine new horses for 14 days before introducing them to pasture mates to help minimize the chance for the spread of flu. This is important because some horses can be partially immune can become subclinically infected and shed the virus. This means they will show no symptoms but still spread influenza.

    Symptoms

    • Horses will typically exhibit sudden high fever, coughing, clear nasal discharge and sometimes swelling of the lymph nodes. In some cases, pneumonia will develop as a result of a secondary bacterial infection. That can be fatal if not treated. Symptoms are similar to other conditions such as equine herpesvirus, rhinovirus, equine viral
      arteritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pharyngitis, strangles and a multitude of less common conditions, according to The Horse.

    Prevention

    • A vaccine exists for the prevention of equine influenza. Discuss a vaccination schedule with your veterinarian as it can depend on current vaccine status, age of horse, broodmare status and potential exposure. According to The Horse, the American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends administering a series of three boosters to adult, unvaccinated horses, followed by semiannual vaccination.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for horses with influenza is typically supportive care. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be given to help with high fevers. Offer fresh food and water. Ask your vet on specific treatment for your horse, but typically horses should rest one week for every day they have a fever. Training should not resume until any coughing has subsided.