VETS have warned horse owners in the northern England to ensure their animals are vaccinated against equine flu after a raft of new outbreaks have been recorded throughout the country over the last three months.

Since mid-August there have been 21 reported outbreaks of equine flu in Britain, including one on October 27 in Cumbria.

Nicola Snowden, equine veterinary advisor for Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy, said all the cases were in horses with an incomplete vaccination history.

"Equine flu is a highly contagious disease; yet adopting preventative healthcare practices such as vaccination can reduce the impact on both individual horses and the wider equine industry," said Ms Snowden.

The viral disease can cause acute respiratory disease, with symptoms including high fever, coughing and nasal discharge.

Horses can also suffer depression, reduced or absent appetite, and weakness.

Most adult horses recover from the initial episode within a few weeks but the disease can be fatal in foals and horses whose immune systems are compromised.