Equine influenza virus.
Abstract: For decades the horse has been viewed as an isolated or "dead-end" host for influenza A viruses, with equine influenza virus being considered as relatively stable genetically. Although equine influenza viruses are genetically more stable than those of human lineage, they are by no means in evolutionary stasis. Moreover, recent transmission of equine-lineage influenza viruses to dogs also challenges the horse's status as a dead-end host. This article reviews recent developments in the epidemiology and evolution of equine influenza virus. In addition, the clinical presentation of equine influenza infection, diagnostic techniques, and vaccine recommendations are briefly summarized.
Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2014-10-03 PubMed ID: 25282321DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2014.08.003Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article delves into the evolution and epidemiology of the Equine Influenza virus, disputing the long-held belief that horses are isolated hosts. Besides, it discusses the virus’s transmission to dogs, its clinical symptoms, diagnosis methods, and vaccine advice.
Equine Influenza Virus Evolution and Epidemiology
- This article challenges decades of understanding, which considered horses as an isolated or ‘dead-end’ host for influenza A viruses. The idea that Equine Influenza virus is stable genetically is being questioned.
- Even though equine influenza viruses are indeed genetically more stable than those of the human lineage, they are not in an evolutionary standstill. There is evidence of the virus’s evolutionary progress within the horse population.
- Recent observations have shown that equine-lineage influenza viruses have also been transmitted to dogs. This transmission challenges the notion of horses as a dead-end host further.
- These research findings renew and stimulate interest in understanding the epidemiology and evolution of the Equine Influenza virus.
Clinical Presentation of Equine Influenza Infection
- The article briefly summarizes the clinical presentation of equine influenza infection or how the disease manifests in horses. This summary includes symptoms and signs of disease noticeable in infected animals.
- More research into this area is of interest to readers, especially veterinarians and animal scientists, who wish to understand the disease’s impact better.
Diagnostic Techniques
- The various techniques or methods for diagnosing equine influenza infection are also sketched out in this research.
- Highlighting these diagnostic measures provides a guide for professionals dealing with horse populations and suspected illness cases.
Vaccine Recommendations
- The article gives a summary of current recommendations for equine influenza vaccination.
- The information is beneficial for equine industry stakeholders like horse breeders, owners and veterinarians interested in safeguarding horse health and preventing disease transmission within equine communities.
Cite This Article
APA
Landolt GA.
(2014).
Equine influenza virus.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 30(3), 507-522.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cveq.2014.08.003 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, 300 West Drake Road, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA. Electronic address: Landoltg@colostate.edu.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Dog Diseases / virology
- Dogs
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Influenza A virus / genetics
- Influenza A virus / immunology
- Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
- Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines / immunology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
Citations
This article has been cited 18 times.- Chappell DE, Barnett DC, James K, Craig B, Bain F, Gaughan E, Schneider C, Vaala W, Barnum SM, Pusterla N. Voluntary Surveillance Program for Equine Influenza Virus in the United States during 2008-2021. Pathogens 2023 Jan 27;12(2).
- Ahmed BM, Bayoumi MM, Farrag MA, Elgamal MA, Daly JM, Amer HM. Emergence of equine influenza virus H3Nx Florida clade 2 in Arabian racehorses in Egypt. Virol J 2022 Nov 12;19(1):185.
- Gonzalez-Obando J, Forero JE, Zuluaga-Cabrera AM, Ruiz-Saenz J. Equine Influenza Virus: An Old Known Enemy in the Americas. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Oct 14;10(10).
- Nogales A, DeDiego ML, Martínez-Sobrido L. Live attenuated influenza A virus vaccines with modified NS1 proteins for veterinary use. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022;12:954811.
- Rozario C, Martínez-Sobrido L, McSorley HJ, Chauché C. Could Interleukin-33 (IL-33) Govern the Outcome of an Equine Influenza Virus Infection? Learning from Other Species. Viruses 2021 Dec 15;13(12).
- Karam B, Wilson WD, Chambers TM, Reedy S, Pusterla N. Hemagglutinin inhibition antibody responses to commercial equine influenza vaccines in vaccinated horses. Can Vet J 2021 Mar;62(3):266-272.
- He W, Li G, Wang R, Shi W, Li K, Wang S, Lai A, Su S. Host-range shift of H3N8 canine influenza virus: a phylodynamic analysis of its origin and adaptation from equine to canine host. Vet Res 2019 Oct 30;50(1):87.
- Blanco-Lobo P, Rodriguez L, Reedy S, Oladunni FS, Nogales A, Murcia PR, Chambers TM, Martinez-Sobrido L. A Bivalent Live-Attenuated Vaccine for the Prevention of Equine Influenza Virus. Viruses 2019 Oct 11;11(10).
- Singh RK, Dhama K, Karthik K, Khandia R, Munjal A, Khurana SK, Chakraborty S, Malik YS, Virmani N, Singh R, Tripathi BN, Munir M, van der Kolk JH. A Comprehensive Review on Equine Influenza Virus: Etiology, Epidemiology, Pathobiology, Advances in Developing Diagnostics, Vaccines, and Control Strategies. Front Microbiol 2018;9:1941.
- Sack A, Daramragchaa U, Chuluunbaatar M, Gonchigoo B, Bazartseren B, Tsogbadrakh N, Gray GC. Low Prevalence of Enzootic Equine Influenza Virus among Horses in Mongolia. Pathogens 2017 Nov 30;6(4).
- Gamoh K, Nakamura S. Update of inactivated equine influenza vaccine strain in Japan. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Mar 23;79(3):649-653.
- Xie T, Anderson BD, Daramragchaa U, Chuluunbaatar M, Gray GC. A Review of Evidence that Equine Influenza Viruses Are Zoonotic. Pathogens 2016 Jul 12;5(3).
- Munoz O, De Nardi M, van der Meulen K, van Reeth K, Koopmans M, Harris K, von Dobschuetz S, Freidl G, Meijer A, Breed A, Hill A, Kosmider R, Banks J, Stärk KD, Wieland B, Stevens K, van der Werf S, Enouf V, Dauphin G, Dundon W, Cattoli G, Capua I. Genetic Adaptation of Influenza A Viruses in Domestic Animals and Their Potential Role in Interspecies Transmission: A Literature Review. Ecohealth 2016 Mar;13(1):171-98.
- Gonzalez-Obando J, Jaimes-Dueñez J, Zuluaga-Cabrera A, Forero JE, Diaz A, Rojas-Arbeláez C, Ruiz-Saenz J. Seroprevalence of Equine Influenza Virus Antibodies in Horses from Four Localities in Colombia. Viruses 2025 Jul 16;17(7).
- Er JC. Improving Influenza Nomenclature Based on Transmission Dynamics. Viruses 2025 Apr 28;17(5).
- Pusterla N, Lawton K, Barnum S, Magdesian KG. Comparison of Nose Wipes, Stall Sponges, and Air Samples with Nasal Secretions for the Molecular Detection of Equine Influenza Virus in Clinically and Subclinically Infected Horses. Viruses 2025 Mar 20;17(3).
- Branda F, Yon DK, Albanese M, Binetti E, Giovanetti M, Ciccozzi A, Ciccozzi M, Scarpa F, Ceccarelli G. Equine Influenza: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Strategies for Prevention and Control. Viruses 2025 Feb 21;17(3).
- Ding J, Wang Y, Liang J, He Z, Zhai C, He Y, Xu J, Lei L, Mu J, Zheng M, Liu B, Shi M. Spatiotemporal pattern and suitable areas analysis of equine influenza in global scale (2005-2022). Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1395327.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists