Infection control and biosecurity in equine disease control.
Authors: Weese J S
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Infection Control and Biosecurity in Equine Disease Control Weese (2014) addresses a critical gap in equine practice: whilst infectious diseases remain a substantial cause of morbidity, mortality and economic loss across the equine industry, formal research underpinning infection control and biosecurity protocols has been limited. The review synthesises practical evidence-based measures for restricting pathogen entry into populations and mitigating disease consequences, recognising that whilst complete prevention is impossible, strategic intervention significantly reduces impact. Key barriers to implementation include the inherent structure of the equine industry—characterised by frequent horse movement and trading—alongside the challenge of endemic pathogens and variable understanding or motivation amongst stakeholders to adopt rigorous practices. The author emphasises that successful disease prevention depends fundamentally on equine professionals recognising core infection control principles and understanding why biosecurity measures matter, positioning this knowledge as the foundation for meaningful change. For farriers, veterinarians, physiotherapists and yard managers, this means translating awareness into consistent protocols around hygiene, equipment decontamination, isolation procedures and visitor management—particularly given how readily infectious diseases can transmit through equipment, hands and shared facilities in equine environments.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •Implement biosecurity protocols appropriate to your facility type—understanding that perfect disease prevention is impossible, but strategic measures can significantly reduce pathogen introduction and disease spread
- •Address industry-specific challenges such as horse movement and endemic diseases by establishing clear quarantine procedures, health screening, and staff training protocols
- •Recognize that infection control success depends not only on knowledge of measures available, but also on staff motivation and buy-in to implement them consistently
Key Findings
- •Infectious diseases represent a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and economic loss in horses
- •Objective research on infection control and biosecurity in equine populations is limited despite practical importance
- •Key barriers to effective infection control include frequent horse movement in the equine industry, endemic pathogen presence, and lack of understanding or motivation among practitioners
- •Foundational understanding of infection control and biosecurity principles is essential for successful disease prevention