The latest News in the Equine Disease Surveillance – 2025 Q4 Quarterly Report, which has just been published, highlights important developments in equine influenza (EI) control and issues a timely reminder to the UK equestrian community.
From 1 January 2026, British Eventing (BE) officially moved from a mandatory six-monthly equine influenza booster to an annual, 12-monthly requirement for national competitions. This brings BE into alignment with British Showjumping (BS), British Dressage (BD) and British Riding Clubs.
However, the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) team is urging competitors and yard owners not to interpret this regulatory shift as a signal to reduce vigilance.
Rising cases in France
While there has been little equine influenza activity reported in the UK during the latter part of 2025, surveillance data from France paints a different picture.
Through EquiFluNet, the global surveillance initiative, EIDS has been monitoring reports from RESPE, the French equine disease surveillance network. Since 4 November 2025, 41 confirmed outbreaks of equine influenza have been recorded in France. Notably, nearly one third of these outbreaks were reported from 19 December onwards, indicating an accelerating spike in activity. The majority of cases have been concentrated in northern France.
Although the quarterly report includes figures illustrating this geographic clustering and recent upward trend, the key message is clear: influenza activity across the Channel is currently heightened.
UK case underlines movement risk
On 2 February 2026, EIDS reported a confirmed case of equine influenza on a premises in Surrey. The affected horse was a vaccinated four-year-old non-Thoroughbred that had recently returned from Europe.
This case highlights the ongoing risks associated with international movement of horses and reinforces the importance of robust quarantine and biosecurity procedures, even where vaccination protocols are up to date.
Lessons from 2019
The report draws parallels with the 2019 UK equine influenza epidemic, which resulted in British horseracing being halted for six days in February that year. That outbreak was preceded by increased disease activity in France during late 2018 and early 2019.
Against this backdrop, EIDS continues to recommend six-monthly equine influenza boosters, particularly for horses that travel frequently or compete regularly, bringing them into contact with large and varied horse populations.
Even resident horses may be at elevated risk if their yard regularly receives new arrivals or if horses return from competition environments.
More frequent booster vaccination helps maintain antibody levels that can reduce both the severity of clinical signs and the amount of virus shed if a horse becomes infected.
Practical guidance for owners and yards
In light of the increased influenza activity in France, EIDS advises:
- Maintaining six-monthly booster vaccination schedules, especially for travelling or competing horses
- Exercising extreme caution when purchasing horses from, or travelling to, France, particularly northern regions
- Implementing strict quarantine for new arrivals or returning horses, with twice-daily temperature monitoring for at least two weeks before mixing with the resident population
- Remaining vigilant for signs such as coughing, fever, nasal discharge or reduced appetite, and seeking veterinary advice promptly if clinical signs occur
The report emphasises that maintaining high biosecurity standards is a collective responsibility, essential to protecting the health and welfare of the UK’s equine population.
The full details are available in the latest News in the Equine Disease Surveillance – 2025 Q4 Quarterly Report – CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL REPORT.
