Florida EHV-1: Equine Influenza Confirmed at HITS Facility

Multiple horses exhibited clinical signs of influenza before testing positive for the disease.
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As Florida animal health officials monitor horses housed at the quarantined Horse Shows in the Sun (HITS) facility in Ocala, Fla., for signs of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), they’re also on the lookout for signs of another respiratory disease that’s been confirmed at the showgrounds: equine influenza.

On March 6, Mark Fagan, spokesman for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), told TheHorse.com that "multiple horses" showed clinical signs before testing positive for the disease. None of the horses that have tested positive for equine influenza have been euthanized, he said, and all of the positive horses are being treated by veterinarians.

He said that the number of positive flu tests has "dropped off significantly" recently.

"The biosecurity measures we’ve put in place for EHV-1 should assist with reduction of the transmission of the flu virus," Fagan said. "We’re being as proactive as we can

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Erica Larson, former news editor for The Horse, holds a degree in journalism with an external specialty in equine science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. A Massachusetts native, she grew up in the saddle and has dabbled in a variety of disciplines including foxhunting, saddle seat, and mounted games. Currently, Erica competes in eventing with her OTTB, Dorado.

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