Surveillance program leads the pack.
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A global perspective distinguishes this flu vaccine search. An article by Melissa Thomson.
The equine flu season wreaks havoc on racetracks and large stables because the close quarters and high turnover of horses provide ideal conditions for influenza to spread. And because flu viruses are always evolving, existing vaccines can quickly become ineffective. Horse owners are hoping researchers will come up with a solution pronto.
Prof. Laurent Viel and graduate student Joanne Hewson of the Department of Clinical Studies are on the case. They’re establishing Ontario’s first equine influenza surveillance program in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), to follow and record strains and outbreaks at racetracks and large stables across Canada. They hope to use the information to develop a new vaccine, one that will protect horses from the disease’s many forms and remain effective.
“Establishing a centre for infectious diseases such as influenza will give both researchers and horse caregivers access to up-to-date information on this contagious disease,” says Viel. “This initiative — and the co-operation that comes with it — will help us fully understand the extensiveness and fre-quency of equine influenza and the need for effective prevention.” Influenza is a viral disease that is dis-tributed worldwide, affecting livestock and humans.
Although the virus can’t be spread from horse to human, its ability to mutate over time makes vaccinations ineffective in the long term. That means the vaccine con-stantly needs to be updated, says Viel. When the flu strikes, it prompts a reaction in the airways similar to an allergic reaction or asthma, damaging the sensitive lining of the airways. The painful coughing and sore muscles associated with the flu cause horses to tire, quickly diminishing their performance on the track. The researchers hope that by monitoring outbreaks on racetracks, they’ll have a better understanding of where strains are originat-ing. They’ll learn how influenza is affected or spread by horses travelling across the coun-try and abroad.
“European countries, through the WHO, don’t allow horses on to racetracks or at any international events without a compulsory vaccination,” says Viel. “We believe Canada will soon follow this trend, but we must first identify the importance of the disease and the specific strains to be included in a reli-able vaccine. Most Canadian horse owners don’t vaccinate their horses for influenza because there’s a high cost and a low guar-antee of effectiveness. But once a reliable vaccine is developed, we hope it will become mandatory for horses travelling or competing throughout Canada.”
This research is sponsored by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Boehringer Ingelheim, the E.P. Taylor Equine Research Fund and the Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association.
