A novel strain of equine influenza virus, influenza A/equine/Jilin (China)/1/89, has emerged which is genetically distinct from all earlier strains of equine influenza. It is therefore possible that the vaccines against equine influenza may be unable to protect horses against disease caused by this virus strain. In vitro serological assays established that there were low levels of immunological cross-reactivity between the new virus, the current vaccine strains and the strains of equine-2 influenza virus now in circulation.