Equine influenza is not a notifiable disease in the UK, which means that the industry takes responsibility for controlling the disease.

Vaccination is the main control measure, alongside isolation of infected cases and minimising the mixing of horses during an outbreak.

The Government has been monitoring the situation and maintaining close contact with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and the British Horse Council. We commend the BHA and other equine industry bodies for their swift action and for advising against unvaccinated animals being allowed to attend large gatherings.

Products approved for use under ‘General Orders’ on the Defra Approved Disinfectant list are likely to be effective if used at the recommended General Orders dilution rates. This list is published on GOV.UK at http://disinfectants.defra.gov.uk/DisinfectantsExternal/Default.aspx?Module=ApprovalsList_SI. Equine influenza is not a notifiable disease in the UK and there is therefore no published statutory list of disinfectants approved specifically for equine influenza disease control. Regulations applying to consumer products mean that disinfectant manufacturers need to be able to substantiate claims made about the effectiveness of their products, including those specified for equine influenza.

Equine influenza viruses are not very persistent in the environment and these viruses are readily inactivated by disinfectants. The same general advice for all disinfectants also applies to those used in relation to equine influenza. To ensure disinfectants are at their most effective, they must be diluted with fresh clean water and the area thoroughly cleaned and as necessary degreased prior to the application of the disinfectant. Disinfectant in footbaths/foot dips should be regularly replaced and this is particularly important during wet weather when the active ingredient in foot dips can get diluted by rainwater, or if it gets contaminated with soil or organic matter. Equipment and footwear should ideally be washed with clean water to remove gross contamination before disinfectant is applied, as the active ingredient of most products is inactivated by organic material. Boots and footwear should be scrubbed with a brush, with particular attention paid to the treads on the soles of footwear and boots.

The Government has been monitoring the situation and maintaining close contact with the Animal Health Trust (AHT) and British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as well as the Equine Disease Coalition.

Equine flu is a contagious disease of horses, donkeys, mules and all equidae. Clinical signs include a raised temperature, cough and nasal discharge, lethargy and loss of appetite. In otherwise healthy horses cases typically resolve within 1-2 weeks. It is not a public health risk. Vaccination is the main control measure, alongside isolation of infected cases and minimising the mixing of horses during an outbreak. Equine flu is not a notifiable disease in the UK, which means that the industry takes responsibility for surveillance, testing and vaccination. The Horserace Betting Levy Board, which is a Government arm’s length body, provides funds to the AHT, which is an internationally approved reference laboratory for equine flu.

Horse owners are urged to contact their private vet if they suspect respiratory illness and to practice good biosecurity and isolate suspected or confirmed cases.

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) is an arms-length body of DCMS which is responsible for collecting a statutory Levy from betting operators which it distributes in line with its statutory duties to support British horse racing. In April 2017, the Government implemented significant reforms to the Levy, resulting in a £45m increase in statutory Levy income in 2017/18.

The HBLB provides over £200,000 annually for the Equine Influenza Programme, and a further £150,000 towards the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance Programme, provides British racing with expert information and provisions to minimise the impact of equine diseases and respond quickly to outbreaks.

HBLB has committed to pay a contribution to owners or trainers for the costs incurred where the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) recently required test samples to be taken for equine influenza, including the cost of the swabs and the veterinary fees involved. In addition, HBLB has committed £321,500 to support the rescheduling of replacement races and fixtures following the recent suspension, and will continue discussions with the BHA regarding funding for further races and fixtures as required. The BHA have now scheduled a number of additional fixtures from February 20th onwards.

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) is an arms-length body of DCMS which is responsible for collecting a statutory Levy from betting operators which it distributes in line with its statutory duties to support British horse racing. In April 2017, the Government implemented significant reforms to the Levy, resulting in a £45m increase in statutory Levy income in 2017/18.

The HBLB provides over £200,000 annually for the Equine Influenza Programme, and a further £150,000 towards the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance Programme, provides British racing with expert information and provisions to minimise the impact of equine diseases and respond quickly to outbreaks.

HBLB has committed to pay a contribution to owners or trainers for the costs incurred where the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) recently required test samples to be taken for equine influenza, including the cost of the swabs and the veterinary fees involved. In addition, HBLB has committed £321,500 to support the rescheduling of replacement races and fixtures following the recent suspension, and will continue discussions with the BHA regarding funding for further races and fixtures as required. The BHA have now scheduled a number of additional fixtures from February 20th onwards.