3 dozen burros dead after equine influenza outbreak in Riverside County - KTLA

Thirty-eight burros from Riverside County have died after an equine influenza outbreak, and more are expected to succumb to the virus, officials announced Friday.

The equine influenza, which is specific to horses, mules and donkeys, is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through groups of horses in aerosolized droplets dispersed by coughing or through fomite transmission, county officials said.

“It’s important we emphasize to the public regarding the importance of preventing contact between sick burros and healthy horses and donkeys, and avoiding all shared waterers, feeders, and equipment, as well as limiting fence line exposure to the greatest extent possible,” Emily Nietrzeba, an equine specialist veterinarian with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, said in a statement.

Riverside County, Moreno Valley and San Bernardino County officers are assisting with transporting some of the sick burros to the nonprofit organization DonkeyLand for isolation and care.

Veterinarians from the California Department of Food and Agriculture have also stepped in to help Riverside County’s sick burros.