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Recommendations on equine influenza announced
The OIE’s Expert Surveillance Panel meets annually to review data on the equine influenza outbreak.

OIE Expert Surveillance Panel reviews global data on outbreaks

All vaccines for the ongoing outbreak of equine influenza should contain both clade 1 and clade 2 viruses of the Florida sublineage.

That’s the latest recommendation from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), whose Expert Surveillance Panel met in April to review global data on equine influenza outbreaks.

The Panel concluded that recommendations on equine influenza vaccine remain unchanged. ProteqFlu remains the only vaccine in the UK and Ireland that is updated in line with the OIE recommendations.

The OIE’s Expert Surveillance Panel meets annually to review data on the equine influenza outbreak. Since its previous meeting on March 2018, outbreaks of equine influenza have been confirmed in Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and South America.

In Europe, the disease has been widespread since late 2018 when outbreaks were first reported in France. Multiple outbreaks have also been reported in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, the UK and Sweden.

The data reveals that June 2019 had the highest number of confirmed cases since the outbreak began.
All sectors of the industry are affected, including leisure horses, showjumpers, racehorses, trotters and breeding stock. 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.