Equine influenza is an acute disease characterized by transient, intermittent fever, catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract mucosa, and a dry, painful cough.
Epizootiological data
Horses of all ages are susceptible to the virus, but foals suffer the most severe illness. Equine influenza is most frequently reported during the spring-summer and autumn periods, coinciding with the times of most intensive animal movement. The source of the pathogen is infected animals and those that have recovered from the disease. Under adverse housing conditions (drafts, dampness, etc.), epizootic outbreaks of influenza can affect up to 60% of the herd, resulting in significant mortality (up to 20%) among young stock.
Course and symptoms
The disease manifests 1–6 days after infection; in some cases, a shorter incubation period of 18–20 hours is observed.
The clinical presentation of equine influenza is quite varied, depending on housing and management conditions, the animals' immune status, and the biological properties of the pathogen. Based on severity, the disease is classified into typical and atypical forms, as well as a malignant course. The typical form is characterized by depression, inflammation of the conjunctiva and nasal mucosa, enlargement of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes, and a shallow cough. This is followed by a rapid rise in body temperature to 39.5–40.0°C, which persists for 1–4 days. Concurrently with the fever, a dry, painful cough develops, which intensifies when the horse moves. Affected animals appear depressed and exhibit a reduced appetite. In the atypical form, animals exhibit mild serous rhinitis and an infrequent, shallow cough; fever is either absent or undetected. In the malignant form, the cough in horses is dry, hacking, and painful; the animal lowers its head while coughing, and mucous discharge flows from the nostrils. Equine influenza typically follows a benign course, resolving within 2–4 days. In addition to the primary signs mentioned above, complications may include gastrointestinal involvement (diarrhea), edema of the chest, hind limbs, and abdominal wall, as well as inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. A diagnosis of equine influenza is established based on epizootiological data, clinical signs, and laboratory test results. Treatment ... Prevention and control measures. To prevent equine influenza, a 30-day quarantine is implemented for incoming horses. Attention is paid to ensuring optimal housing and feeding conditions for the animals. Facilities are regularly cleaned and disinfected. Horses are vaccinated if there is a threat of equine influenza.
If a diagnosis of equine influenza is confirmed, the facility is declared infected and placed under quarantine. Sick horses are isolated and treated. Thorough mechanical cleaning and disinfection of the premises are carried out every 10 days until the quarantine is lifted. The quarantine is lifted 15 days after the last animal has recovered and final disinfection has been performed.
State Institution "Mendykarinsky District Territorial Inspection of the Veterinary Control and Supervision Committee, Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan," Borovskoye village, 83 Altynsarin St., tel.: 2-40-64, 2-42-67.
