Call for increased vigilance as number of reported equine influenza outbreaks in UK continues to rise
Wednesday 13 May 2026
As of 7 May, the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance group has been notified of 44 laboratory-confirmed equine influenza outbreaks in 28 counties across the UK since early April. In addition, there are eight further outbreaks for which further details and reporting permissions are pending.
Of these cases, six horses were reported as vaccinated, 21 as unvaccinated and a further 17 had an unknown vaccination status. A substantial proportion of outbreaks (61%) involved horses who have recently moved premises prior to the onset of clinical signs.
Moving horses
The wide geographic spread of cases, combined with the strong association with recent horse movement, highlights the increased risk of travelling horses during periods when outbreaks levels are high.
Horse owners, yard managers and vets are encouraged to adopt a risk-based approach when moving horses, particularly between premises, events and regions. Vigilance for early clinical signs, maintaining up-to-date vaccination status and implementing isolation protocols for new arrivals are essential parts of disease control
However, it’s important to remember that equine influenza can be transmitted through the air and spread up to several kilometres in optimum conditions, so can still reach yards with no recent horse movements.
The situation in France
France is also seeing heightened equine influenza activity, especially in the north of the country, so it’s advisable to use extreme caution when travelling horses to, from or through there. This also applies to purchasing horses from France.
Protecting your horse
- Stay alert for the signs and symptoms of equine influenza, which include a dry, harsh cough, fever, nasal discharge and a loss of appetite. Any horses showing symptoms should immediately be isolated and the vet should be called.
- Check your horse’s vaccination status and considering moving to or staying on a six-monthly booster schedule to provide optimal protection, especially if your horse or others on the yard regularly travel or mix with equines from other sites. Frequent boosters ensure antibody levels remain high, which is essential for reducing both the severity of the disease and risk of the virus shedding within the wider equine population.
- Any returning horses or new arrivals on the yard should be quarantined for at least two weeks before they rejoin the main herd. During this time, closely monitor them for signs of disease. New arrivals should also have their vaccination status confirmed by checking their passport.
- Employ strict biosecurity measures on the yard, including regular health checks and not sharing tack, equipment and feed buckets between horses.
- Ensure you have a disease outbreak plan in place – consider where you can isolate infected horses, any additional equipment you might need and how you'll manage the flow of people and horses moving through the yard.
- If you're travelling your horse, check them for signs of ill health prior to leaving the yard – this includes a fever, nasal discharge, a cough, diarrhoea and enlarged lymph nodes.
- While at equine events, take steps to limit the spread of disease – avoid contact with other horses, don't share buckets or tack, and ensure temporary stables are cleaned and disinfected.
- If you have any concerns about your horse’s health, speak to your vet.
Source: British Equestrian
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