In America, 119 wild horses died in a very short time. They died of the infectious disease influenza which attacks the respiratory tract.
In Colorado (America), 119 wild horses died of equine influenza within two weeks. The infectious disease is highly contagious but rarely fatal. The outbreak began at the BLM’s (Bureau of Land Management) Wild Horse and Burro Corrals sanctuary in Canon City. The 119 horses were part of the West Douglas Horses, a herd of 445.
They were actually first rounded up in the fall of 2021 to protect them from the wildfires. The wildfires endangered the wild horses, now it’s the flu. Laboratories have also confirmed that it is the H3N8 influenza virus. A sub-lineage of a strain of equine influenza endemic to North America.
Criticism from the horse world
There is now a headwind in the political world. There is criticism that the facility currently keeps 2,500 horses in a very confined space. It is no wonder that the disease has spread so quickly. If you cram so many animals together, you need a vaccination. But not only that, the sanctuary in Canon City shows how broken the system is. There are often unexplained deaths and injuries.
But not only that is seen as a problem, the rounding up of the horses with helicopters is also questioned. The horses are herded together with helicopters, which already means a lot of stress for the animals. Afterwards they are slaughtered. This is despite the fact that wild equines are endangered in the region.
Difficult treatment
The Canon City facility is currently under voluntary quarantine. Biosecurity measures are being implemented to contain the virus. The sick horses are given anti-inflammatories and an antibiotic.
However, treating the animals is not easy. Most of the animals are wild and untamed. They cannot be treated without the use of mechanical restraint. However, this could worsen the infection by stressing the animals. In addition, the animals could be injured.
As a preventive measure, the water should be enriched with antibiotics. In addition, the dust in the environment is to be reduced to protect the animals’ respiratory tract. According to the authorities, the other animals are less at risk. They have only slight signs of infection. So far, only the West Douglas horses are severely affected. This could possibly be due to the fact that their lungs were already damaged by the forest fire.
Source: horsetalk.co.nz
