Equine Influenza Confirmed in Washington
No account yet? Register
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) officials confirmed on Sept. 10 that a Spokane County horse tested positive for equine influenza. The affected horse, a 4-year-old mare with an unknown vaccination status, started showing clinical signs of fever and nasal discharge on Sept. 6 and is reported to be affected and alive. A total of 10 horses were exposed to the virus.
Influenza 101
Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that affects horses, ponies, and other equids, such as donkeys, mules, and zebras. The virus that causes it is spread via saliva and respiratory secretions from infected horses. Horses are commonly exposed via horse-to-horse contact; humans that pick up the virus on their hands, shoes, or clothes; tack, buckets, or other equipment; and aerosol transmission from coughing and sneezing.
Clinical signs of equine influenza infection can include a high fever (up to 106°F); a dry, hacking cough; depression; weakness; anorexia; serous (watery) nasal discharge; and slightly enlarged lymph nodes. Consider monitoring your horse’s health at shows by taking his temperature daily, which can help you pick up on signs of infection early and take appropriate measures to reduce disease spread
Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.
TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.
Start your free account today!
Already have an account?
and continue reading.
Related Articles
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with