Mid-Rivers Equine Centre is confirming several cases of the Influenza-A virus (NOT EHV-1) at the Hunter Jumper Show currently taking place at the National Equestrian Center in Lake Saint Louis Missouri.
The horses have tested NEGATIVE for the EHV-1 virus.
If your horse is currently vaccinated for the flu, there should be some degree of protection, but a vaccination is not a guarantee. Should your vaccinated horse contract the infection, the symptoms should be less severe and short-lived.
If your horse is not current on its flu vaccination, it will take two weeks before it is fully effective once the vaccination is administered.
Facts about virus viability:
- The influenza virus is fragile. Soap and water or hand sanitizer will kill the virus.
- The virus will likely only survive in the affected stalls for 72 hours. It can survive on clothes for 8-12 hours.
- The virus can live in water for up to 15 days.
- In the sun, the virus dies within eight hours.
- Infected horses can shed the virus for up to three weeks after being symptom free.
- If your horse is coughing and running a fever, then we recommend keeping it home for three weeks after the horse is symptom free.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and will do our best to keep you informed.