It has been reported by the attending veterinarian that a horse in Washington County, Nebraska, has tested positive for equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) and equine influenza. Ten other horses have been exposed to the infected horse.
EDCC Health Watch is a program by Equine Network that uses information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to produce and distribute verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is a nonprofit organization that relies on industry donations to provide accessible infectious disease information.
About Equine Influenza
Equine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease that affects horses, ponies, and other equids. The virus spreads through saliva and respiratory secretions, horse-to-horse contact, aerosol transmission, and contact with contaminated objects or humans.
Symptoms of equine influenza include high fever, coughing, depression, weakness, nasal discharge, and enlarged lymph nodes. Monitoring your horse’s health by checking its temperature daily at shows can help detect infection early. Vaccination is crucial in protecting horses, with proof required for competitions. Biosecurity measures like quarantining new arrivals and disinfection can reduce infection risks.