Recent reports of viral respiratory disease outbreaks in parts of Europe including Equine Influenza (EI), and also Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) and Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) have served as a wake-up call to FEI to remind horse owners of the FEI Veterinary Regulations requiring that all horses are vaccinated against Equine Influenza within six months of competing at an event, having had the necessary primary course of vaccinations.
FEI Horse vaccination requirements
FEI Veterinary Regulations require that all horses are vaccinated against Equine Influenza within six months of competing at an event.
This approach has been endorsed by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE). You must always ensure that your horse complies with these influenza vaccination requirements.
Although the risk of Equine Influenza and other respiratory viruses is still low, you should also be aware of the signs of influenza and what to do if you have any concerns.
Signs of Equine Influenza:
- Fever,
- Dry cough
- Nasal discharge,
- Depression,
- Loss of appetite,
- Muscle pain
- Weakness
If you suspect your horse has the disease:
- Isolate any suspect or sick animals;
- Seek a veterinary opinion;
- Check the temperature of other suspect horses;
- Stop movements of horses within the group in suspected cases of the disease; do not resume movements until the underlying cause of the symptoms are confirmed.
- Until the cause of the symptoms is known, ensure that the person who looks after the sick horse does not look after other horses.