Endemic

Resources

Equine infectious diseases

Endemic

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)

EHV is present throughout most of the world, with outbreaks seen at any time of year. EHV-1 and EHV-4 are the most common strains in the UK.

British Equestrian: Equine Herpes Virus

British Equestrian: EHV information sheet

FEI: EHV information sheet

HBLB International Codes of Practice: Equine Coital Exanthema (ECE)

Equine Influenza Virus

Equine influenza (flu) is an contagious airbone disease affecting the upper respiratory tract of horses. There have been frequent outbreaks in the UK in recent years.

This video from British Equestrian features Richard Newton summarising the disease

Clinical signs usually appear within 1–5 days of exposure to the flu virus and they can last for 3–6 weeks.

Signs can include a high temperature, cough, nasal discharge, enlarged glands (under the lower jaw), conjunctivitis, depression, loss of appetite and filling of the lower limbs.

Regulators and authorities

Rhodococcus equi

Rhodococcus equi is a common cause of bacterial pneumonia in foals (and weanlings), which can be fatal. It has a worldwide distribution.

EVJ Narrative Review: Rhodococcus equi foal pneumonia: Update on epidemiology, immunity, treatment and prevention - Bordin AI, Huber L, Sanz MG, Cohen ND. (2022)

BEVA Transatlantic Equine Clinic: Management of R equi in foals - Macarena Sanz, Monica Venner & Emily Floyd (2023)

Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

Dermatophytosis (known as ringworm) is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin, which affects horses of all ages and is encountered throughout the world.

Ringworm in horses is caused by two main genera of fungi: