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Following recent news alerting the public to an outbreak of Equine Influenza (flu) steps have been taken by the British Horseracing Association (BHA) to provide guidance on events and how to prevent further risk of the disease. What is clear so far is;
· The BHA veterinary team has been in contact with more than 50 trainers and veterinary surgeons to allow them to make an informed assessment of the risk of equine influenza spreading and they have shared clear guidance. Please see the link below for more information
o https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/equine-influenza-update/
Zoetis is aware of possible customer concerns about the current Equine Influenza outbreak and knowing more about the available vaccines. The Zoetis vaccinations are Equip® Flu and Equip® Flu and Tetanus vaccines (Equip F or Equip FT) and we would like to share the following information with veterinary professionals:
· In the UK to date we have had no cases of flu reported in horses vaccinated with Equip F or Equip FT. However, in the present flu outbreak it is not clear if any of the current influenza vaccines will provide complete clinical protection against the mutated strain. · Equip F and Equip FT are both indicated for reduction in clinical signs caused by Equine Influenza, including Florida Clade 1 strains. · Cross protection has been demonstrated by virulent challenge for representative strains of Florida Clade 1 (Paillot et al 2008, Bryant et al 2010) and Clade 2 (Paillot et al 2015). · In addition, vaccination with Equip F stimulated a flu specific cell-mediated immune response to a Clade 1 strain which was detectable for up to one year after the third vaccination in primary course (Paillot et al 2015)
Zoetis is confident that the Equip range continues to be effective against its licensed indications.
For more information please see the Animal Health Trust (AHT) website and the updated release from the British Equestrian Federation (BEF):
https://www.aht.org.uk/news/statement-on-equine-influenza-outbreaks-in-vaccinated-horses
https://www.bef.co.uk/News-Detail.aspx?news=equine-flu-outbreak
Zoetis will continue to work closely with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the AHT in response to this outbreak. Further information and links have been provided above however if you have any more immediate questions please get in touch on 0845 300 8034 and choose option 1 to speak to our technical team.