Guidance for APCs
Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance are continuing to see a rise in the number of flu cases across the UK and we encourage you to stay vigilant while you’re out and about visiting clients. Many infectious diseases can travel from yard to yard on people’s hands, boots, clothes, car tyres and footwells so make sure to take steps to avoid spreading disease between yards or taking anything home to your own horses.
To reduce the risk of spreading disease we encourage you to risk assess before visiting yards. Avoid any unnecessary contact with horses or equipment and regularly use hand sanitiser and disinfectant to reduce the spread of the virus. Carrying a complete change of clothes, additional coats/outer layers and PPE (personal protective equipment) will allow you to continue working if you have additional concerns while out and about. Remember that some horses may show no or very mild signs of flu but still be able to pass the virus on to others so we advise additional caution over the next few months.
Communication and education remain powerful tools during disease outbreaks. Encouraging owners to check their vaccinations, temperature check their horses and to understand more about equine diseases and how to prevent them will help end the stigma that can be associated with outbreaks. Engaging with clients in this way will also help you to assess the risk when visiting different yards. Many of the horses recently diagnosed with equine influenza are new arrivals at the yard or are unvaccinated/have an unknown vaccination status. Therefore, you may wish to ask your clients some screening questions to help you asses before attending.
We strongly advise that you don’t attend yards where there is a current outbreak or allow horses to travel from a yard with a current outbreak.
Our website includes information you can share with horse owners about disease prevention, equine flu, vaccinations, and what to do during an outbreak.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.
Take a look at the information from Strangles Awareness Week which provides further advice on biosecurity.
We have provided some text below that you can post on your social media pages to inform and reassure your clients.
Example Social Media Post 1
Example social post
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Equine flu cases are rising in our area
Recent reports from Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance group highlight a sudden increase in equine influenza outbreaks. I am continuing to coach as normal but in order to protect my clients’ horses and reduce the risk of spreading flu I will be taking some additional precautions while coaching:
(add / delete / amend as applicable)
☎️Contacting clients for some screening questions
🚦Risk assessing yard before visiting
🚧Changing clothing between sessions
🧼Washing and sanitising hands between horses
⚠️ Disinfecting my boots, wheels and equipment regularly
❌ Avoiding unnecessary contact with horses and equipment
📈 Monitoring current outbreaks
Equine flu is highly contagious, but with the right steps, you can help protect your horse and others on your yard. I encourage all of my clients to check their horse’s vaccination status and check their horse’s temperature regularly.
Swipe through for simple ways you can reduce risk of diseases and how to spot the signs early.
If you notice any signs of illness isolate your horse straight away and contact your vet promptly. I am here to support all my clients so please reach out if you have any concerns or questions, but I ask that you’re honest with me if you’re aware of outbreaks in your area.
Read more about signs and prevention 
https://bit.ly/3QqdN60
Example Social Media Post 2
Example Social Media Post
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Equine flu cases are on the rise, and I want to assure my clients that I am taking additional steps to prevent the spread of disease.
If you have any concerns or questions about flu please don’t hesitate to contact me.
You can read more about equine flu and how to prevent it here 
https://bit.ly/3QqdN60
