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ABSTRACT:
African Horse Sickness (AHS) is an orbiviral viral disease of equids, transmitted by Culicoides midges. Mainly seen in Africa, some outbreaks elsewhere have been extensive and the disease has over-wintered in southern Europe. The AHS virus is probably spread by Culicoides obsoletus, found in northern Europe. AHS causes severe disease, and mortality can be over 90%. At present there is no cure. Supportive nursing care should be given and stress minimised. Protecting horses from midges is difficult. The live attenuated polyvalent vaccine used in South Africa is not licensed for use in Europe, but new vaccines are currently being developed.
Notes
For more information on emerging infectious diseases, visit www.wildlifeinformation.org
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Debra Bourne
Debra Bourne MA vetMB PhD MRcvs
Debra completed her PhD on toxoplasmosis and other diseases in the Bennett's wallabies at Whipsnade Zoo in 1997. Since then she has worked for Wildlife Information Network (WIN), now part of Twycross Zoo – East Midland Zoological Society Limited, as a veterinary editor, producing Wildpro electronic encyclopaedia volumes on wild animal health and management, and emerging infectious diseases.