Can I catch diseases from my horse?
Although it’s uncommon, the bacterium that causes rain scald (Dermatophilus congolensis) has been known to jump onto humans, causing lesions on the hands and arms. Fortunately, we tend to keep our skin dry and so it rarely gets a foothold.
There are also a range of more exotic – and more worrying – diseases that horses can carry and pass on to us.
Glanders
Glanders is caused by a bacterium, which has been eradicated from Europe through tight import control measures. However, the disease is often reported in other countries around the world. It is life-threatening, causing nodules and ulcerations in the respiratory tract.
Although there isn’t a vaccination available, the disease in humans can be treated with antibiotics if they are started soon enough. The disease is usually spread through ingestion of contaminated food or water, using contaminated equipment, or by droplets spread from coughing and sneezing. Precautionary hygiene measures should be taken if a horse is suspected of having the disease. And humans should avoid contacting infected animals. When importing a horse into a glanders-free country such as the UK from a higher-risk area, samples must be collected prior to travel to ensure that the disease will not be brought into the country.
Hendra
Although not present in the United Kingdom, Hendra is a devastating disease that can be fatal in both horses and humans. The virus has been found in fruit bats and has caused a number of outbreaks in Australia. In humans, the signs can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory and neurological disease. There is no specific treatment for Hendra. However there are vaccinations available for horses which reduces the spread of the disease to humans.
Are you safe if your horse is poorly? Probably, as the risk is pretty low but it’s worth just taking a few precautions. And if in doubt, ask your vet if the disease might be zoonotic!
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