Equine disease surveillance: quarterly summary.

Summary

# Equine Disease Surveillance: Q1 2017 Overview During the first quarter of 2017, a collaborative surveillance initiative between Defra, the Animal Health Trust and the British Equine Veterinary Association compiled disease occurrence data across the UK equine population, with particular attention to laboratory testing trends and international disease patterns. The report analysed testing figures from January to March and cross-referenced them against global equine health developments during the same period, establishing a baseline for understanding disease distribution and prevalence across different regions. Equine influenza received focused analysis within the surveillance data, reflecting both the significant clinical and economic impact of respiratory disease in working and competition horses, and the importance of maintaining robust diagnostic protocols and vaccination strategies. For practitioners, these quarterly summaries provide epidemiological context that can inform vaccination schedules, inform risk assessments for travelling horses, and help identify emerging disease patterns before they become widespread problems. Access to this structured surveillance data enables farriers, veterinarians, physiotherapists and other equine professionals to make evidence-based decisions about herd health management and client communication regarding disease risk in their regions.

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Key Findings

• •Quarterly surveillance report covering January to March 2017 summarizing disease testing across UK equine populations
• •International disease occurrence monitored during Q1 2017
• •Focus on equine influenza diagnosis and surveillance protocols

Conditions Studied