The Thurston County farm is under voluntary quarantine and the state veterinarian is coordinating with the attending veterinarian to enact biosecurity measures and monitor the affected horses. | Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Animals from the latest-confirmed farm infected other horses on the farm when they returned from a barrel race. The farm is under voluntary quarantine and the state veterinarian is coordinating with the attending veterinarian to enact biosecurity measures and monitor the affected horses.

About Equine Influenza

Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that infects 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; aerosol transmission from coughing and sneezing; and contact with human’s contaminated hands, shoes, or clothes or contaminated tack, buckets, or other equipment.

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