News

Rise in equine influenza outbreaks detected in the UK in April

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

Since the beginning of April 2026, Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) has become aware of six confirmed outbreaks of equine influenza (EI) on premises in six separate counties of England (correct as of 14 April) – Berkshire, Hampshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire and Suffolk (not close to Newmarket). These six outbreaks reported in the first 10 days of April are in contrast to only two EI outbreaks reported for the UK during all of the first quarter of 2026.

Five of six outbreaks involved have confirmed EI infection in horses that have recently arrived in the UK – three of these outbreaks involved horses imported from European countries, including Ireland and the Netherlands. In addition, three of the six outbreaks involved horses confirmed to have been vaccinated against equine influenza. 

EIDS therefore urges horse owners and their veterinary surgeons to be vigilant for the emergence of signs of respiratory disease:

• fever
• loss of appetite
• coughing
• nasal discharge.

This is particularly true among recently arrived and non-vaccinated equines, although signs in vaccinated horses should be taken seriously and also be investigated.

Diagnosis relies on upper respiratory tract samples being collected and tested by either conventional laboratory methods (qPCR) or point-of-care testing at the practice (LAMP, iiPCR) for presence of viral RNA. If your vets have a positive laboratory or point of care test result for EI, please do urge them to report this to EIDS via the online disease reporting platform – they can readily access this from the EIDS website landing page.

Copy: Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance

EIDS Update 14/04/2026

Read the EIDS equine influenza information sheet

Advice for horse owners

• Ensure your horse is up-to-date with their flu vaccinations – if they're overdue, you'll need to start the initial course again to provide full protection, so speak to your vet.
• If your horse mixes regularly with others outside of your yard, consider a six-monthly booster schedule for the most effective protection from flu. 
• Employ strict biosecurity measures for any new horses arriving on the yard – this includes a vaccination status check, isolation and regular health checks.
• If you're travelling your horse, check them for signs of ill health prior to leaving the yard – this includes a fever, nasal discharge, a cough, diarrhoea and enlarged lymph nodes.
• While at equine events, take steps to limit the spread of disease – avoid contact with other horses, don't share buckets or tack, and ensure temporary stables are cleaned and disinfected. 
• Prepare a disease plan so that you're prepared if an outbreak happens at your yard – consider where you could isolate infected horses, any additional equipment you might need and how you'll manage people and horses moving through the yard. 
• If you have any concerns about your horse's health, speak to your vet. 

For further information about biosecurity and disease prevention, check out the Equine section of our website. 

Listen to our recent podcast episode about vaccination and biosecurity