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How can you prevent equine influenza?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 08, 2026

Prevention of influenza requires hygienic management practices and vaccination. Exposure can be reduced by isolation of newly introduced horses for 2 wk. Numerous vaccines are commercially available for prevention of equine influenza.

How do horses get influenza?

Equine influenza virus spreads easily through contact with infected horses and via contact with infected clothing, equipment, brushes, tack, etc. Some horses do not show any outward signs of infection, but can shed the virus and infect susceptible horses.

What is the best cure for equine influenza?

Treatment for equine influenza involves treating the symptoms and allowing your horse to rest. Just like the human flu virus, there is no cure for equine influenza. At least 6 weeks of rest are recommended in order for the damaged liner of the upper respiratory tract to adequately heal.

Can a vaccinated horse get equine flu?

This means the vaccines may fail to provide full immunity against the most recent strain. Therefore, there have been cases where vaccinated horses can suffer with flu. However, vaccinated horses will not be as severely affected and will suffer with the disease for less time compared to unvaccinated horses.

How do you prevent strangles in horses?

Protecting Your Horse

Biosecurity protocols such as observation and screening of newly arriving horses help to prevent the spread of disease. However, vaccination is the best way to combat strangles. Pinnacle® I.N. is the only two-dose, modified-live bacterial vaccine developed to help prevent strangles.

30 related questions found

What disinfectant kills strangles?

Kill the bacteria easily by heat and disinfectants such as an iodine-based disinfectant, chlorhexidine, or hot steam spray. Eliminating its spread will require steps such as: Cleaning and disinfecting water buckets and feed containers daily. Scrubbing to disinfect any stall areas contaminated by an infected animal.

What causes strangles in horses?

Strangles is an infection caused by bacteria called Streptococcus equi. It is highly contagious and the infection can be spread by horse-to-horse contact or by humans, tack, drinking troughs and other environmental factors.

How often should a horse be vaccinated for equine influenza?

Vaccination is often given as a combination vaccine with equine influenza. A primary course of two vaccinations is given 4-6 weeks apart, followed by a booster in 12 months. Subsequent vaccinations are usually given every 2 years.

How often should a horse get a flu shot?

Vaccination is recommended every 6-12 months. There are several other vaccines available for horses.

How often should horses get flu rhino vaccine?

Rhinopneumonitis (Eq Herpesvirus) and Influenza [Rhino/flu *]: Vaccinate every 6 months. Strangles-intranasal: + Vaccinate every 12 months.

Can humans get equine influenza?

Humans do not get infected with equine influenza. However, humans can physically carry the virus on their skin, hair, clothing and shoes, and can therefore transfer the virus to other horses.

What is the vaccine for equine influenza?

Today, there is only one equine influenza vaccine which contains the Florida Clade 1 and Clade 2 equine influenza strains: Vetera® XP. With VETERA XP, you will be providing your horse with direct antibody protection from the most relevant strains of equine influenza.

Is equine influenza contagious?

Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) causes a respiratory disease (Flu) that can range from mild to severe. Horses with influenza may have a fever, nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, and weakness, but most notably COUGH. Because coughing horses aerosolize the virus, equine influenza is very contagious.

What is the 5 way vaccine for horses?

A “5-way” (EEE/WEE, Tetanus, Influenza, and Rhino) vaccine is administered to 4-H, exhibition, and breeding or boarding barn horses. Depending on the risk, these vaccines may be repeated in 6-month intervals. For the 4-H clients, we also vaccinate annually for Rabies virus.

What is in a 7 way horse vaccine?

7-way protection: West Nile + 3-way Sleeping Sickness + Tet + Flu + Rhino. Safe for use in horses 4 months of age or older. Safe for use in pregnant mares. Contains Kentucky Lineage (KY/95), Florida sublineage clade 1 (OH/03) and Eurasian Newmarket/2/93 (NM 2/93) equine influenza starins.

What kind of virus is equine influenza?

Equine influenza virus (EIV) is a common respiratory pathogen of horses and other equids in most parts of the world. EIV are Type A influenza viruses and two subtypes are known: H3N8 and H7N7. Both are believed to have evolved from avian influenza virus ancestors.

Can you vaccinate against EHV?

While there are several vaccines available for protection against both respiratory disease and abortion as a result of EHV-1 infection, at this time there is no equine licensed vaccine that has a label claim for protection against neurologic disease (EHM).

What do you vaccinate horses against?

The 'Flu and Tetanus vaccinations start with a course of 3 initial vaccinations, followed by annual boosters. If vaccination dates are missed for any reason, the initial course must be restarted to ensure immunity. Equine Herpes Virus – The equine herpes vaccination can be given to horses over the age of 5 months old.

When do you vaccinate horses?

Prevention in horses is primarily via vaccination. Broodmares should be vaccinated 4–6 wk before foaling. Foals from vaccinated mares should be vaccinated at 6 and 7 mo of age and again at 12 mo of age. Foals from unvaccinated mares should be vaccinated at 3, 4, and 12 mo of age.

Is strangles an airborne disease?

Whilst strangles is not spread through the air (airborne), the bacteria can spread when a horse with strangles coughs or snorts.

Can humans get horse strangles?

Though these bacteria are genetically similar and cause upper respiratory symptoms in both species, horses with strangles cannot infect humans, and humans with strep throat cannot infect horses. “Strangles is spread via respiratory secretions from infected horses,” Easterwood said.

How effective is the strangles vaccine for horses?

Killed vaccine: A killed vaccine can be an adjunct to the prevention of strangles. A reduction in clinical attack rate of only 50% was reported in vaccinates a few weeks after the final booster. Adverse reactions include soreness or abscesses at injection sites and occasional cases of purpura hemorrhagica.

Is Lysol toxic to horses?

Leave the boots outside the enclosure to dry. Cover or discard Lysol solution for safety (it's toxic if swallowed.) When tending to more than one horse, take care of the sick one last.

How do you sanitize a barn?

It is very important to let everything dry. This can be the longest part of the process. Once this has been completed, create a solution of 10% bleach and 90% water and spray each stall with it. Once that has been done, clean each stall and the rest of the barn with the proper disinfectants of your choice.

How do you sanitize a horse stall?

Spray the stall with a 10% solution of bleach before applying a disinfectant. This helps remove biofilms that can protect bacteria from disinfectants. Allow the horse stall to completely dry before spraying a disinfectant.