The Pittsburgh researchers also worked in collaboration with investigators from the Heska Corporation of Fort Collins, CO, which will be manufacturing and marketing this new product, Flu Avert I.N. vaccine, to equine veterinarians. Previous vaccines were killed virus injectable vaccines, which have been shown to leave horses vulnerable to equine influenza, even when horses are vaccinated up to six times a year. The equine influenza vaccines currently on the market simply do not afford the degree of protection needed by horse owners today. We believe Flu Avert I.N. vaccine affords an unprecedented level of protection in the prevention of equine flu. This will be especially important to the owners of performance horses that regularly come into contact with the other horses.
Equine influenza is a serious disease in horses.
Although infections are not usually life threatening, the disease is evidenced by coughing, fever, lack of appetite and tracheobronchitis, which can often lead to secondary bacterial pneumonia. It is recommended to owners that horses rest for at least three weeks following an influenza attack. The studies involved more than 600 horses at locations throughout North America to verify both the safety and efficacy of Flu Avert I.N. vaccine. Previously, vaccines were licensed based on their ability to stimulate an antibody titer. These titers have been shown to decrease quickly and do not necessarily correlate with protection in the face of an outbreak.