Horse riders and walkers in the New Forest are being urged to stay well clear of livestock amid the outbreak of equine flu.

The illness has been reported in a number of New Forest ponies in the national park over recent weeks.

Equine influenza, or horse flu, is not typically fatal, but it can cause discomfort for the animals. As with human flu, it is highly contagious and is airborne.

The New Forest’s population of about 5,500 free-roaming ponies is also vulnerable to the disease.

The Verderers of the New Forest say they are continuing to monitor the situation.

A statement issued by the Verderers said: “Equine flu continues to spread through the New Forest herd and cases have now been seen in ponies in the Brockenhurst and Burley areas.

“You should expect to see ponies with heavy nasal discharge and a dry, harsh cough.

“The Verderers are following veterinary advice which is to leave the affected ponies where they are to avoid causing them unnecessary stress and potentially spreading the virus further.

“Although mostly airborne the virus can be spread by contact with an affected animal.

“The advice to horse riders and walkers is to give the ponies as wide a berth as is possible and not to allow ridden horses to drink from communal water troughs.”