Equine Flu in the UK

Join the movement to protect our horses from one of the most contagious respiratory diseases around. Vaccination is a quick, simple and cost-effective way to gain the reassurance that your horse – and the community of horses they live in – are as protected as they can be.

If you need to update your vaccination,

speak to your vet now

In 2019, we saw just over 100 times more recorded outbreaks of equine flu across the UK than in 2018. Horses were affected across the country and numerous equestrian events were cancelled as a result.

Flu hasn’t gone away in 2020

It’s more important than ever to get your horse vaccinated against this highly contagious disease so we can help protect our equine community and continue to have fun with our horses.

Equine Flu Myth Busters

My horse doesn’t travel and I just hack locally, so I’m not at risk.

The virus is airborne, and in favourable conditions it can travel 5km. Even if all the horses on your yard avoid flu, it just takes one sneeze from an infected horse travelling through the area or in a nearby field to put you at risk.

Only the young, old and fragile are at risk

Whilst severity and complications can be worse in animals with an already weakened immune system, flu doesn’t care who it infects and ALL horses are at risk.

I think I’ll take the risk and wait and see what happens

Taking a watch and wait approach is sometimes the best way forward, but not with flu. Don’t do it to yourself. A simple and cost-effective vaccination gives you the reassurance that your horse will stay as well as possible, and there’s less chance of infecting your friends horses or any nearby, and you’ll be able to continue doing all the things you love with your horse.

What IS equine flu and is it really that bad?!

Equine flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease that all horses, donkeys and mules can catch regardless of age or condition. It’s endemic in the UK which means it’s always around, and vaccination is THE best way to limit its impact and help protect as many horses as possible.

Immunity needs to be built up and your horses need three initial injections. This immunity doesn’t last a lifetime, so you’ll then need to have regular boosters as agreed by your vet.

Flu infection can be severe in unvaccinated horses and signs include:

• Lethargy
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing
• Loss of appetite
• High temperature

Following infection, horses will be contagious and will also need a long rest period of up to 100 days whilst their respiratory tract recovers. Our horses give us so much pleasure, and rely on us to keep them fit and healthy.

Useful videos about Equine Flu

If you haven’t already, speak to your vet about vaccination TODAY.

Find out more about the campaign at www.kbhh.co.uk/achoo