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African Horse Sickness (AHS)

African horse sickness is a notifiable animal disease, whilst an outbreak has never been reported in Great Britain, the risk remains.

Disease summary

How to spot African Horse Sickness:

  • swelling and redness around the eyes and elsewhere on the face
  • frothing and discharge from nostrils
  • fever
  • slow and heavy breathing
  • coughing
  • swollen face

How the disease is spread:

African horse sickness is carried and spread by midges. It’s not spread directly between horses.

African horse sickness is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Preventing the spread

    You can help prevent disease by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you report suspicion of African horse sickness APHA vets will investigate.

    If African horse sickness is confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases and the African horse sickness control strategy.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Further information on prevention and control:

    Controls to prevent disease

    What happens when a notifiable disease is suspected or confirmed

    Vaccination

    Vaccines are available using the live attenuated virus (a virus that has been made less virulent), in some countries such as South Africa where AHS persists. 

    These vaccines are not considered safe enough (as the pathogen is still live), for licensed use in countries where the virus is not present, including the EU.

    Client fact sheet

    Share this document with your clients for further information on this disease.

    Download the fact sheet


    Anthrax

    Anthrax is a serious bacterial, cutaneous, zoonotic disease that affects the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts of most mammals including humans, several species of birds, and herbivores.

    Disease summary

    Anthrax affects mammals and some species of birds.

    These include:

    • cattle
    • pigs
    • horses
    • sheep
    • humans

    The previous outbreak in livestock in Great Britain was in 2015.

    Anthrax is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Clinical signs

    Anthrax can cause death in pigs and horses, though less quickly than in cattle and sheep.

    The main clinical signs of anthrax in pigs and horses are:

    • hot painful swellings in the throat area
    • sudden colic pain in horses
    • loss of appetite in pigs
    Preventing the spread

    Risk to humans:

    Anthrax symptoms begin with a flu-like illness. This is then followed by respiratory difficulties.
    Direct contact with anthrax can cause raised boil-like lesions on the skin which develop a black centre. This skin infection normally responds to early treatment with antibiotics. If you inhale anthrax spores, they can cause damage to the lungs, which is often fatal.

    Preventing anthrax:

    Talk to your vet before moving or disposing of carcasses after a sudden or unexplained death.

    You can also help to prevent anthrax by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you suspect anthrax:

    • contact your local APHA office immediately and isolate the animal or carcass
    • do not move, skin or open the carcass of any suspect animal
    • disinfect blood or other fluids from any suspect animal, as soon as possible, with a Defra approved disinfectant
    • do not kill or bleed any sick animals
    • watch any animals that have been in contact with the suspect animal, and isolate them if they show signs of infection
    • pay particular attention to cows, as humans can be infected by drinking contaminated milk

    If anthrax is confirmed:

    If anthrax is confirmed, there are legal powers to control the spread of the disease during an outbreak.

    If you think your animals will be continually exposed to anthrax, for example, after an outbreak, talk to your vet about using an antibiotic or a vaccine.

    Your local authority will pay for the disposal of any diseased carcasses.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Contagious Equine Metritis

    Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a venereal disease that affects horses, donkeys, mules, zebras and other members of the equid family.

    It does not affect humans.

    Preventing the spread

    CEM spreads from horse to horse during mating. It can also spread when horses are artificially inseminated.

    You can use the HBLB Codes of Practice to help prevent infection and to stop the disease spreading.

    You can also prevent CEM by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you suspect CEM

    You should:

    • tell your vet immediately - they may take samples from your horse for lab testing
    • isolate any horses you think are affected
    • stop the suspect horses mating
    • avoid using semen from stallions with suspected or confirmed infection

    If CEM is confirmed

    CEM can be treated with antibiotics. There are no public health implications.

    Where owners of affected horses agree to comply with the HBLB code of practice, the affected animal and all contacts will be tested and treated following advice from industry disease experts and the British Equine Veterinary Association. The premises will be restricted from exporting any horses or equine germinal products until the cases are successfully resolved. These procedures have been in place since April 2020, following an initial pilot.

    Where owners choose not to comply with the code of practice, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Dourine

    Dourine affects horses, donkeys, mules, zebras and other members of the equid family.

    Disease summary

    Dourine affects horses, donkeys, mules, zebras and other members of the equid family.

    It doesn’t affect humans.

    There has never been a known case of dourine in Great Britain.

    Dourine is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Clinical signs

    The main clinical signs are:

    • fever
    • swelling of genital areas or udders and the surrounding skin
    • fluid discharge from genitals (in mares)
    • lesions or damage to the skin
    • stiffness and weakness
    • lack of coordination
    • inability to move

    Dourine is often fatal, although some animals show no signs and recover from the disease.

    Preventing the spread

    How dourine spreads:

    Dourine spreads through sexual contact.

    The disease is caused by a parasite which cannot survive outside the animal’s body. The parasite dies quickly in the carcass of affected animals.

    Preventing and controlling dourine:

    You can help prevent dourine by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you report suspicion of dourine, APHA vets will investigate.

    If dourine is confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Epizootic Lymphangitis

    Epizootic lymphangitis affects horses and mules. It can affect cattle, but this is rare. It does not affect humans.

    Disease summary

    Epizootic lymphangitis is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Clinical signs

    Clinical signs include:

    • patches of damaged skin anywhere on the body
    • swollen and hard glands
    • a thick yellow scab over a patch of ulcers
    • discharge or ulcers in the nostrils

    Pay special attention to damaged skin in and around wounds, especially if the wound has been healed for months.

    The earlier you detect epizootic lymphangitis, the more likely the disease can be cured. Fatality increases the later the disease is found.

    Preventing the spread

    How epizootic lymphangitis is spread

    Epizootic lymphangitis is spread by flies and by contaminated riding equipment.

    The disease can live in soil for up to 15 days.

    Preventing and controlling epizootic lymphangitis

    You can help prevent epizootic lymphangitis by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you report suspicion of epizootic lymphangitis, APHA vets will investigate.

    If epizootic lymphangitis is confirmed the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Equine Infectious Anaemia

    Equine infectious anaemia only affects horses.

    Disease summary

    Humans aren’t affected.

    The last outbreak in Great Britain was in 2012.

    This epidemiology report is a summary of the investigations by APHA to control the 2 incidents of equine infectious anaemia in Cornwall and Devon in 2012.

    Equine infectious anaemia is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Clinical signs

    Some infected animals don’t show signs of equine infectious anaemia, or signs are overlooked because they don’t last for long.

    Clinical signs can include:

    • recurring fever
    • tiredness, weakness and depression
    • loss of appetite and weight loss
    Preventing the spread

    How equine infectious anaemia is spread

    Equine infections anaemia is transmitted by large horseflies. The flies are only active from May to September, with a peak in July and August.

    The horseflies only travel short distances to feed, but the disease can be carried over long distances by infected horses or contaminated blood products.

    The disease can also be spread through medical equipment such as needles or in the semen of infected animals.

    Preventing and controlling equine infectious anaemia

    You can help prevent equine infectious anaemia by practising good biosecurity on your premises.

    If you report suspicion of equine infectious anaemia, APHA vets will investigate.

    If the disease is confirmed the outbreak will be controlled in line with the equine infectious anaemia control strategy and the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)

    EVA is a notifiable viral disease that affects horses, mules and donkeys.

    Disease summary

    EVA is a notifiable viral disease that affects horses, mules and donkeys. It is notifiable in all stallions, and in mares that have been mated or inseminated within 14 days.

    It occurs in both Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred populations and is currently a relatively common disease in Europe and other parts of the world, but is relatively rare in the UK.

    While it is rarely life threatening to otherwise healthy adult horses, EVA is of special concern to horse breeders because it can cause abortion in pregnant mares, death in young foals and render breeding stallions permanent carriers of the virus.

    Clinical signs

    EVA causes a variety of symptoms including fever; nasal discharge; conjunctivitis; swelling of the lower legs, eye socket, scrotum and mammary gland; depression and “nettle rash” and can cause abortion. It is also possible that a horse becomes infected and has the ability to pass that infection onto other horses but shows no clinical (outwardly obvious) signs itself. EVA is a notifiable disease in the UK in stallions, and anyone who suspects that a horse is exhibiting any of the symptoms of EVA must by law notify the Divisional Veterinary Manager of Defra. This should be done promptly and it’s also advisable to call your own vet.

    Transmission of the disease

    One of the major problems with EVA is that it may be transmitted by horses which show no clinical signs of disease themselves, as well as by horses which do exhibit the typical signs of EVA. Routes of transmission are:

    • By the respiratory route i.e. in nasal (nose) discharges.
    • During breeding, at natural cover and also in fresh, chilled and frozen semen.
    • During teasing.
    • Via contact with aborted foetuses and the placenta/foetal fluids.

    Thus horses might become infected by any other horse which has the respiratory form of EVA and is passing on the virus via a “runny nose” or coughing and snorting; via contact with foetuses which have been aborted due to EVA and also via contact with infected semen (natural cover or AI).

    Stallions which have become infected may show no signs of clinical disease themselves but can pass the disease on to mares via their semen. This may be for several weeks, months or years after infection and possibly even for life. These are the so-called “shedder” stallions. Mares bred to these stallions may or may not show any clinical signs of disease themselves but can spread EVA to other horses via the respiratory route and also via abortion.

    Consider the following scenario: in a situation where EVA control measures are inadequate, a mare with the respiratory form of EVA might enter a stud, come into contact with other mares and infect those mares with EVA. The original mare and the other mares could then pass EVA to the stallion(s) during breeding. The stallion(s) could start “shedding” EVA in his (their) semen, and would infect other mares which were subsequently bred to him (them), naturally or by A.I. Because not all horses with EVA show clinical signs, those mares might then return home and infect other mares (thus potentially causing abortion) or other stallions (thus potentially causing spread to more mares) and so the cycle of infection goes on.

    This example illustrates how the potential for disease transmission between horses is huge and it is for this reason that control measures must be adhered to if the spread of EVA within the UK is to be contained/reduced.

    Preventing the spread

    The aim of current control measures is to prevent the spread of EVA within the UK horse population. Because the most high-risk situations in terms of disease spread are when breeding activities are taking place i.e. when mares are being covered/inseminated; mares are foaling down, and there is generally lots of movement of horses between premises, the control measures focus on animals being used for breeding purposes. Because horses which have EVA and are capable of passing the disease onto other horses do not necessarily show clinical signs of disease, control and prevention is based upon blood testing to show which animals have the disease and therefore pose a risk to other animals.

    Vaccination, particularly of stallions, may also be appropriate. If a horse is blood tested for EVA (the “serological” test) the result will be either negative or positive. A negative result indicates that the horse has not been infected with the virus and is therefore generally not a danger to other horses i.e. it cannot transmit (pass on) EVA to other horses. A positive result may indicate either that the horse currently has the infection (in which case it is a risk to other animals); that it has had the infection in the past, or that it has been vaccinated against the disease.

    If a horse has a positive result, it should be isolated and re-tested 2 weeks after the initial test. This is to help distinguish between those which currently have EVA and are therefore a risk to other horses and those which have had EVA at some time in the past but are not a risk to other horses.

    The only way currently of distinguishing a horse which is infected with EVA from a horse which has been vaccinated against EVA is by reference to its vaccination record and the results of blood tests taken before and after vaccination. For this reason, accurate record keeping is essential. Blood testing horses to establish their EVA status before they enter a premises; testing and vaccinating stallions; quarantining horses where necessary and keeping horses in small groups of similar-aged animals are important tools in controlling the spread of EVA. Veterinary Surgeons can advise their clients on the exact measures necessary in differing circumstances.

    Comprehensive recommendations are provided in the Codes of Practice which are published by the Horseracing Betting Levy Board each year, a copy of which is available free to anyone upon request (see below).

    To summarise the Codes, the EVA status of ALL breeding stock (mares and stallions) should be established before breeding begins each year i.e. after January 1st. as follows:

    • All stallions should be blood tested to prove that they are not infected with EVA. In the event of the test coming back positive without proof that the positive result is due to vaccination, the semen must be tested to prove that it does not contain EVA.
    • All mares should have a blood test taken after January 1st and within 28 days of them entering a stud/AI Centre to prove that they are not currently infected with EVA and thus do not pose a threat to other mares/stallions. Special rules apply to imported mares and these are detailed in the Codes of Practice (see below).
    • No-one should inseminate semen (fresh, chilled or frozen) unless that semen is accompanied by a certificate proving that it does not contain EVA.
    • EVA is a potentially very serious disease for the horse population of the UK. The spread of this disease can be reduced by all horse owners, but particularly those involved in breeding horses, acting responsibly and enlisting the help of their own Vets in following the control measures outlined above.

    Copies of the Code of Practice on EVA are available, free of charge, from the Horserace Betting Levy Board email: hblb@hblb.org.uk They are also on the Board’s website and can be viewed or downloaded in pdf format. See www.hblb.org.uk and on the home page, select Codes of Practice on Equine Diseases.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Vaccinations

    We support the guidance provided in HBLB International Codes of Practice 2024 which emphasises the importance of routine vaccination against EVA for stallions and teasers resident in the UK. 

    Detailed guidance on recommendations for reducing the risk of EVA stallions imported for breeding and sport and when semen is used for artificial insemination.

    Equine Viral Encephalomyelitis

    Equine viral encephalomyelitis is a disease which can be caused by several viruses (known as equine encephalitis viruses).

    Disease summary

    Viruses which can cause equine encephalitis include but are not limited to:

    Encephalomyelitis means inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

    Equine viral encephalomyelitis can be fatal, although some animals will recover from the disease.

    Equine viral encephalomyelitis is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Animals affected by the disease

    Equine viral encephalomyelitis mainly affects members of the equid family, such as:

    • horses
    • donkeys
    • mules
    • zebras

    Other animals can also be affected, such as:

    • cattle, sheep and goats
    • pigs
    • birds, including poultry
    • dogs
    • rodents

    Humans can also be affected.

    Clinical signs

    Clinical signs can be different depending on which virus the animal has. Some animals will not show any signs at all.

    You may spot these signs soon after infection:

    • fever for several days
    • lack of appetite
    • loss of weight and condition
    • depression
    • stiffness and weakness

    You may spot these signs in the later stages of infection:

    • behavioural changes - such as circling, head pressing or aimless wandering
    • hyperexcitability
    • blindness
    • lack of coordination and balance
    • inability to move
    • staggering or standing with an open stance
    • seizures

    Infections that have similar signs

    You may also see similar clinical signs if your animal is infected with one of the following:

    You must report these signs even if you think your animal does not have equine viral encephalomyelitis.

    Preventing the spread

    How equine viral encephalomyelitis spreads

    The viruses that cause equine viral encephalomyelitis are mainly spread by mosquitoes. Other animals, including wild birds or rodents, can also carry the virus between different areas.

    Only some types of mosquito can spread the virus. This means that if an infected horse did enter the UK, the possibility of the disease spreading would be low.

    There has never been an outbreak of equine viral encephalomyelitis in the UK.

    Risk to humans

    Humans can be infected by equine encephalitis viruses if they are bitten by an infected mosquito. Most people have no symptoms.

    An infected person or horse cannot pass the virus directly to others. In rare cases, the virus can be spread during surgical interventions, such as a blood transfusion.

    If your animal displays signs of infection and you are worried about your health, contact your GP for advice.

    Prevent and control equine viral encephalomyelitis

    If you import animals, you must follow the rules to make sure they are free from disease and fit to travel.

    You can help prevent the disease by:

    If the disease is confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

    Find out what happens when a notifiable disease is suspected or confirmed.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Glanders and farcy

    Glanders and farcy affect horses, donkeys, mules, goats, camelids and a variety of other animals.

    Disease summary

    Humans can also be affected.

    The last confirmed case in Great Britain was in 1928.

    Glanders and farcy are notifiable animal diseases. If you suspect these diseases you must report them immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Risk to humans from glanders and farcy

    Glanders is a potentially serious disease in humans if it is not treated but effective treatments are available.

    The chance of glanders being transmitted from a horse to a human is very low. Human cases of glanders are rare. Transmission to humans only happens where a human has been in close contact with infected animals which are showing clear signs of disease.

    Humans in contact with cases of glanders are not at risk of passing disease on to other humans.

    You should isolate any suspect animals and avoid contact where possible. Use protective clothing during contact including:

    • gloves
    • face mask
    • goggles or eye shield

    After use dispose of this protective equipment in a sealed bag and wash your hands with soap and water.

    Clinical signs

    How to spot glanders and farcy

    In both glanders and farcy small lumps, or ‘nodules’, may form beneath the skin. These nodules will ‘ulcerate’ or burst.

    If the nodules are mainly in the nostrils, lungs and other internal organs, the disease is known as glanders.

    If the nodules are mainly on the surface of a horse’s limbs or body, the disease is known as farcy.

    Chronic glanders and farcy

    Glanders and farcy can be ‘chronic’, lasting for several months or even years, before affected animals eventually die from lung damage.

    Another sign of chronic glanders or farcy is enlarged lymph nodes, for example in the neck.

    Acute glanders and farcy

    The disease can also be ‘acute’, developing suddenly and intensely and leading to death within a few days.

    Other signs of acute glanders include:

    • coughing
    • discharge from the nose
    • fever
    Preventing the spread

    How glanders and farcy are spread

    Glanders and farcy are spread when horses eat infected food, water or come into contact with contaminated equipment. Infected animals that do not die from the disease will continue to carry and spread it.

    Preventing and controlling glanders and farcy

    You can help prevent disease by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you report suspicion of glanders or farcy Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) vets will investigate.

    If glanders or farcy are confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

    Find out more about prevention and control, read the guidance on:

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Rabies (classical)

    Rabies affects all mammals (warm blooded animals with backbones that produce milk and have fur or hair) including dogs and humans.

    Disease summary

    Rabies was eradicated from all UK animals except bats in 1922. The last case in an imported animal outside of quarantine was in 1970.

    Rabies is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Clinical signs

    Early clinical signs of rabies include:

    • behaviour changes - friendly animals may become cautious, shy animals may become bold
    • in dogs, a tendency to excessively seek attention and lick owners
    • hypersensitivity to noise or light

    This can be followed by:

    • increased aggression - dogs may try to break free and attack objects, animals and handlers
    • eyes taking on a staring expression
    • drooping lower jaw and more saliva than normal produced
    • itching
    • thirst

    The final stages of rabies include:

    • weak muscles, especially legs and tail
    • difficulty swallowing
    • drooping eyelids
    • saliva frothing at the mouth
    • general paralysis followed by convulsions and coma before death

    Some animals will show no signs at all, so laboratory tests are required to confirm rabies.

    If a mammal that you own is bitten or scratched by a bat, or another animal that may be rabid, consult a vet.

    Preventing the spread

    How rabies is spread

    Rabies is present in the saliva of infected animals and is usually spread by the bite of an infected animal.

    Rabid saliva can also infect open wounds or mucous membranes such as the nostrils, mouth and lips, eyelids and ears.

    Rabies webinar for veterinary professionals

    Defra’s rabies webinar for veterinary professionals gives information on:

    • the current emergency situation
    • the clinical signs of rabies
    • how to report a suspected case
    • what happens at the lab
    • the control measures that are in place
    • public health aspects of the disease

    Rabies in bats

    Although rabies has been eradicated from the UK, a strain of the disease continues to be present in bats in this country.

    Bat rabies, or European bat lyssavirus is very rare among bats in the UK. But if you handle bats regularly you should be vaccinated as a precaution.

    If you have not been vaccinated against the disease:

    • assume that all bats are possible carriers of bat rabies
    • avoid touching bats, living or dead, whenever possible
    • if you must touch a bat, wear thick gloves to avoid being bitten or scratched

    Risks to humans for rabies

    You may have been exposed to rabies, if you are bitten or scratched by:

    • a bat in the UK
    • any mammal in countries where rabies is present in other animals

    If there is a risk you have been exposed to the disease you should:

    • wash your wound thoroughly with soap and water
    • disinfect the wound
    • immediately contact a doctor for treatment

    The disease is fatal for humans once signs of the disease appear. It can only be prevented if you are treated soon after exposure.

    Read the NHS guide to rabies for more information about the disease in humans

    Preventing rabies

    If you are bringing an animal into the UK you must follow these requirements for pet travel.

    If you suspect rabies

    Do not approach live animals that you think may be rabid.

    Do not touch dead animals that may have had the disease.

    Instead you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301, so the animal can be tested.

    If rabies is confirmed

    If rabies is confirmed the outbreak will be controlled in line with the rabies control strategy.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Vesicular stomatitis

    Vesicular stomatitis affects horses, donkeys, cattle and pigs.

    It can also affect sheep and goats, but they are more resistant to it. It doesn’t affect humans. It has never been present in Great Britain.

    Disease summary

    How to spot the disease

    The signs of vesicular stomatitis are very similar to foot and mouth disease (FMD). The only way to confirm the disease is by laboratory testing.

    The main signs of vesicular stomatitis are:

    • fever
    • blisters on feet, snout, lips, tongue and inside the mouth
    • lameness
    • increased production of spit

    Vesicular stomatitis is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Failure to do so is an offence.

    How the disease is spread

    The disease is spread by certain types of biting flies and by direct contact with infected animals.

    Preventing the spread

    You can help prevent the disease by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you report suspicion of vesicular stomatitis, APHA vets will investigate.

    If vesicular stomatitis is confirmed, the outbreak will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Warble Fly

    Warble Fly mainly affects cattle but can also affect horses, the last outbreak Great Britain was in 1990.

    Disease summary

    Warble fly mainly affects cattle. It can also affect:

    • horses
    • deer

    Warble fly doesn’t affect humans.

    The last outbreak in Great Britain was in 1990.

    If you suspect the disease in Scotland, you must tell the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately. Failure to do so is an offence.

    Warble fly is a notifiable disease in cattle only in Scotland as the England and Wales regulations were revoked from 1 April 2015.

    How warble fly is spread

    The disease is spread by the warble fly, which lays eggs on the hide of animals.

    Clinical signs

    The main sign of warble fly is large, soft and painful swellings on the back of the animal of up to 3 millimetres wide.

    Preventing the spread

    You can help prevent the disease by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you report suspicion of warble fly in Scotland, APHA vets will investigate.

    If warble fly is confirmed the outbreak will be controlled in line with the Scotland exotic diseases of animals contingency framework plan.

    An approved list of products to treat warble fly can be found on the Veterinary Medicines Directorate Product Information Database by using the predefined search ‘Warble’.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Useful links
    West Nile Virus

    West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that affects humans and other animals, particularly horses. The effects of WNV infection in horses can range from mild to potentially fatal inflammation of the brain.

    Risk factors
    • Imported horses
    • Seasonal association with the presence of biting insects
    • Primary case not yet seen in the UK however endemic in parts of mainland Europe and vector (Culex spp mosquito) is present in UK

    Clinical signs

    In horses clinical signs can include:

    • lack of energy
    • loss of coordination
    • weakness in limbs leading to stumbling

    Some horses will not show any signs at all.

    Birds are the main carrier of West Nile fever, but not all species show signs of the disease.

    Risks to humans

    Humans can be affected by West Nile virus, although often the infection does not lead to any symptoms. If present, the most common symptoms are a flu-like illness.

    Most mild infections resolve in a few days. A more severe disease develops in less than 1% of cases.

    See Public Health England information about West Nile virus in the UK.

    You can read more about West Nile virus in humans at NHS Choices.

    Reporting

    WNV is a notifiable disease to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Agency (DEFRA) in England and Wales, and in Scotland and Northern Ireland to the equivalent government authority. 

    If you suspect it you must report it immediately by calling:

    • England: Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301
    • Wales: 0300 303 8268
    • Scotland: contact your local Field Services Office

    Failure to do so is an offence.

    Preventing the spread

    How West Nile Virus is spread

    The disease is spread by mosquitoes. It is not spread directly between animals.

    Birds are the most common carriers and may spread West Nile fever between countries when they migrate.

    Preventing and controlling West Nile Virus fever

    You can help prevent the disease by practising strict biosecurity on your premises.

    If you report suspicion of West Nile fever, APHA vets will investigate.

    If the disease is confirmed it will be controlled in line with the contingency plan for exotic notifiable diseases.

    Testing for exclusion of West Nile Virus

    Defra, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and APHA are offering resting for exclusion of WNV to horse keepers and their veterinary surgeons. Find out more.

    Infection control resources

    Use our infection control resources to help your clients understand how to manage biosecurity on their yard to both prevent and manage the spread of infectious diseases.

    Access the resources

    Vaccination

    BEVA position statement

    In the UK, vaccination is currently permissible and a licensed product is available. Manufacturers’ recommendations for dosing and administration should be followed. There is no clear evidence of harm or benefit associated with combining West Nile vaccine with other vaccines. 

    We recommend that horses travelling to areas where there is a risk of West Nile Fever (for example during the mosquito season in a country where the virus is endemic) should be vaccinated before they travel. Regular vaccination is particularly relevant to race and sports horses travelling abroad for competition. For up-to-date information on global distribution go to the International Collating Centre for equine disease

    Useful links

    GOV.UK - West Nile Virus

    Resources for vets

     EIDS Report 2023: one to watch

     BEVA webinar: WNV - Should we be worried? Orsolya Kutasi

     BEVA podcast: West Nile Virus - Richard Newton

     TheHorse.com YouTube video: West Nile Virus clinical signs

     Boehringer Academy webinar: West Nile virus - Exotic stranger close to home


    Resources for clients

     Iowa State University: Fast facts for clients on WNV

     Iowa State University: Further information on WNV


    Research

     "Spatial distribution and infection of WNV lineages 1 and 2 in France from 2015 to 2020" Equine Veterinary Journal - Volume 53, Issue S56 - First published: 24 September 2021

     "The sensitivity of horse surveillance in detecting West Nile and Usutu viruses in central Italy" Equine Veterinary Journal - Volume 53, Issue S56 - First published: 24 September 2021

     "Seroprevalence of equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV), equine arteritis virus (EAV) and West Nile virus (WNV) in donkeys in eastern Algeria in 2015" Equine Veterinary Journal - Volume 53, Issue S56 - First published: 24 September 2021

     "Identification of antiviral molecules against West-Nile virus by an approach combining cell imaging and equine neural cells derived from induced-pluripotent stem cells" Equine Veterinary Journal - Volume 53, Issue S56 - First published: 24 September 2021