THE 2019 equine influenza epidemic in the UK, in which the disease was confirmed in 234 individual premises - in contrast to only two in 2018 - reminded us that infectious diseases are an ever-present risk to the UK horse population. Horses are constantly being moved around the country and arriving from overseas.
An analysis of the 2019 outbreak concluded that the spread of influenza was aided both by no or insufficient vaccinations, and poor biosecurity practices on many of the premises. In around half of the outbreaks, a new horse had arrived on the premises in the previous two weeks.
These findings confirm that in the UK when it comes to biosecurity, we have a big hill to climb. All horses are at risk of encountering infectious pathogens either directly or indirectly
