Equine Respiratory Update
Newsletter Archive

Equine Respiratory Update Current and Past Issues

To date, the study has revealed numerous insights with regard to disease trends and epidemiology, and has also delivered a new highly relevant Clade 1 influenza vaccine strain, Florida ’13.¹

Looking Back to What’s Ahead

Fall 2020: Preview the 2020-2021 winter-spring seasonal disease outlook.

Discerning Differences Between EHV-1 and EHV-4

Spring 2021: Spotlight on equine herpesvirus and cumulative study data for the top infectious upper respiratory diseases in the horse.

From Outbreak to Vaccine: A True Tale of Equine Influenza Surveillance

Fall 2019: A silver lining in an equine influenza outbreak? Thanks to real world surveillance we can learn from an outbreak by isolating and sequencing the strain causing it to potentially improve vaccine protection.

Tracking an Uptick in Equine Influenza

Fall 2015: The most recent six months of Biosurveillance data reveal equine influenza virus (EIV) as the most common pathogen. Interesting demographic factors observed among EIV positive cases.

Disease Trends, Case Demographics Underscore Importance of Good Biosecurity

Spring 2016: Surprising trends take shape in eighth year of the Respiratory Biosurveillance Program. Why sound biosecurity measures are more important than ever.

Focus on Diagnostics: The Important Role You Play in Monitoring Disease Trends

Summer 2016: Disease trends from January to June 2016. Respiratory Surveillance questionnaire. The importance of collecting accurate samples.

Spotlight on Equine Herpesvirus-4

Spring 2017: Study confirms equine herpesvirus-4 (EHV-4) is a predominant virus associated with upper airway infection.

Getting to Know the “Other” Herpesviruses

Fall 2017: What we know about the gamma herpesviruses, equine herpesviruses types 2 and 5 (EHV-2, EHV-5). There is some evidence suggesting that EHV-2 and EHV-5 may be clinically important as respiratory and ocular pathogens in some situations.

How the Biosurveillance Program Delivered the Industry’s Most Current Influenza Vaccine Protection

Spring 2018: In February 2013, an outbreak of equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) and equine influenza virus (EIV) impacted a large number of well-vaccinated horses. How the Florida ’13 vaccine strain story began.

Putting a Chokehold on Strangles

Fall 2018: Biosurveillance Program sheds light on Streptococcus equi subs. equi (better known as strangles), prevalence factors.

Equine Respiratory Biosurveillance Program: 10 Years Later

Spring 2019: Infectious respiratory disease trends in the industry, from influenza and equine herpesvirus to strangles.

Why the Program Matters to Your Clinic

Spring 2015: The inaugural issue of the Equine Respiratory Update newsletter provides an overview of the Equine Biosurveillance Program, developed to study the prevalence and epidemiology of relevant viral and bacterial respiratory pathogens.

Influenza in a Training Barn

Spring 2020: Follow one practitioner’s infectious upper respiratory disease case journey.

Biosurveillance Program Reaches Sample Milestone

Fall 2021: Program’s 10,000th sample arrives and most recent six-month respiratory disease trends. Plus, new series on the ins and outs of vaccination protocols.

A Case Study (or two) on Strangles

Spring 2022: Two practitioners share their approach to managing a Streptococcus equi diagnosis

Research Published from 13 Years of the Equine Respiratory Biosurveillance Program

Winter 2022: Equine influenza and equine herpesvirus type 4 are the two most prevalent viruses

Newly Published Data on Epidemiology of Streptococcus equi subsp equi

Spring 2023: In the last issue (Fall 2022) of this newsletter, a rising trend in S. equi cases was reported. That trajectory has continued through the most recent 6-month reporting period.

New Voluntary Surveillance Data Published on Equine Influenza Virus

Fall 2023: Findings document disease trends and emphasize importance of pathogen identification in early management of outbreaks.

Equine Rhinitis B Virus Detected with Increasing Frequency

Spring 2024: Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) is recognized for its impact on the respiratory health of horses, with three distinct serotypes identified: ERBV1, ERBV2 and ERBV3.

Flu season prep: new disease outbreak map, symposium highlights and more

Fall 2024: Advanced disease monitoring techniques. Introducing the Equine Disease Outbreak Map. Equine influenza insights highlighted at international symposium. Influenza quick facts and practice tips.

EHV-4’s Hidden Threat toYoung Horses

Spring 2025: Biosurveillance Program research presented at the 2024 AAEP Convention suggests EHV-4 may not be restricted to the respiratory tract

References

Merck Animal Health and University of California, Davis (Nicola Pusteria). Infectious Upper Respiratory Disease Surveillance Program. Ongoing research 2008-present.

Current and past issues of the Merck Animal Health Equine Respiratory Biosurveillance Newsletter.

The Merck Animal Health Equine Respiratory Update is a biannual newsletter that keeps the equine industry up to date on the latest trends and historical information from the Equine Biosurveillance Program. The newsletter also features technical advice, case management advice, and support from the Merck Equine Veterinary Professional Services team and UC Davis.

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