New equine flu vaccination covers the latest strains

An updated vaccine offering specific protection against the latest known circulating strains of equine flu (EI) has just been launched by Merial.

ProteqFlu is the first and only European vaccine to meet recommendations from the World Organisation for Animal Health expert surveillance panel. It has been developed following EI international surveillance programmes.

Director of Merial equine biologic projects, Dr Jules Minke, said: “EI is a major threat with circulating strains evolving and spreading rapidly.”

ProteqFlu was used extensively in Australia to control last year’s crippling 11 month EI outbreak. On Monday night, final restrictions on movement of horses across the country were lifted.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (3 July, ’08)

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