Equine influenza is a highly infectious disease which affects horses mules and donkeys.
Like human flu, it is a resparitory disease caused by a virus which results in fever, a runny nose, coughing and loss of appetite.
It is an airborne infection which can spreasd easily, making it hard to contain and quarantine. However, it is non-fatal, and animals generally recover fully.
There have been four reported cases of horse flu in the UK since January 2, among unvaccinated horses. The outbreak among racehorses is the first confirmed cases of the virus spreading among vaccinated animals.
horse vet Katie Brickman
The four cases so far have occurred in Lincolnshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire and Essex.
Following the recent outbreaks, guidance was sent to racehorse trainers to inform them that all horses that have not had a vaccination against equine flu within the last six months should receive a booster vaccination, and that trainers should be extra-vigilant.
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