Equine disease surveillance: quarterly summary.
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Equine Disease Surveillance: Q2 2016 Summary During the second quarter of 2016, collaborative surveillance data from Defra, the Animal Health Trust and the British Equine Veterinary Association revealed concerning trends in equine health, most notably a continued pattern of abortion cases linked to equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) infection across the UK. The quarterly report synthesised testing data and disease notifications from April through June, documenting both domestic disease occurrences and relevant international health events with potential implications for British equine populations. Equine herpesvirus type 1 emerged as a significant concern during this period, with multiple abortion cases attributed to the virus underscoring its ongoing threat to breeding stock and herd health. For practitioners, these findings underscore the importance of rigorous biosecurity protocols, particularly around pregnant mares, alongside heightened vigilance for respiratory signs or neurological symptoms that may precede reproductive losses. The surveillance data serves as a timely reminder that proactive disease monitoring and prompt reporting remain essential tools for early outbreak detection and prevention across UK equine operations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Monitor for equine herpesvirus type 1 as an ongoing cause of abortion in your practice population
- •Stay informed of international disease trends through quarterly surveillance reports to anticipate potential disease introduction
- •Maintain awareness of current disease status through official surveillance channels to support biosecurity and clinical decision-making
Key Findings
- •Continuing reports of abortion due to equine herpesvirus type 1 infection during Q2 2016
- •International disease occurrence documented in the second quarter of 2016
- •Surveillance testing data compiled from April to June 2016 by Defra, Animal Health Trust, and British Equine Veterinary Association