Zoetis has partnered with The Horse to help educate horse owners about equine influenza virus (EIV) Dec. 4-10, 2016, as part of National Influenza Week. Look for EIV-related articles and other content on TheHorse.com, our Facebook page and Twitter feed, and in our horse health newsletters.

Equine influenza virus causes respiratory disease that spreads quickly via aerosol transmission, meaning affected horses can spread the it every time they cough or sneeze. The virus can persist in the environment on inanimate objects for two to three days. Horses that frequently congregate at horse shows, racetracks, training barns, or clinics are most susceptible to contracting and spreading the disease. An outbreak can have a significant negative economic impact on the equine industry through lost training days and canceled events.

Clinical signs of influenza in horses often include high fever, typically lasting three to four days; a dry, hacking cough; loss of appetite; muscle soreness; and watery nasal discharge.

The United State Equestrian Federation (USEF) requires all horses entering the grounds of a USEF-licensed competition be accompanied by documentation of EIV vaccinations within six months prior to entering the stables