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Topic:Disease Surveillance

Disease surveillance in horses involves the systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data to monitor and manage equine diseases. This process aids in the early detection of outbreaks, tracking of disease trends, and evaluation of control measures. Surveillance systems may incorporate various data sources, including clinical reports, laboratory testing, and field observations. These systems can focus on infectious diseases, such as equine influenza and West Nile virus, or non-infectious conditions affecting horse populations. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore methodologies, technologies, and outcomes associated with disease surveillance in equine populations.
Prevalence and spatial distribution of Brucella spp. seropositive equids from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Journal of equine veterinary science    June 13, 2026   106064 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106064
Borges NF, Barros ML, Silva IS, Barddal JEI, de Freitas AFB, Sumiyoshi MH, Muraro LS, Gomes SSP, de Oliveira ACS, Ribeiro MG, de Aguiar DM.Brucellosis is a chronic infectious disease in equids, characterized by suppurative lesions in joints and bursae, with potential impacts on animal performance and public health. Objective: To investigate the prevalence and spatial distribution of Brucella spp. seropositive equids in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Methods: A total of 3,858 serum samples from 3,230 horses, 602 mules, and 26 donkeys were analyzed using the Buffered Acidified Antigen Test (AAT) and Complement Fixation Test (CFT), following Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture guidelines. Samples were obtained from all municipaliti...
Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in horses in the district of Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Scientific reports    June 12, 2026   doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-56528-z
Kante N, Kaba L, N'Gotta KI, Camara AOD, Salako AS, Berete K, Tuo K, N'Docho AF, Gondo É, Teohou MMC, N'Gotta AA, Traore AK, Barro N.Gastrointestinal parasitic infections constitute a major constraint to equine health and productivity, particularly in tropical regions where climatic and environmental conditions favor parasite survival and transmission. In Côte d'Ivoire, epidemiological data regarding gastrointestinal parasites in horses remain limited, especially in urban and peri-urban settings such as the district of Abidjan. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, diversity, and associated risk factors of gastrointestinal parasites affecting horses in the study area. A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional st...
Epidemiological evidence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in horses at a global level (years 2015 to 2025): a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Journal of equine veterinary science    June 11, 2026   106058 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.106058
Concha D, Azocar-Aedo L, Ricardo T, Rodriguez A, Ramirez R, Paffetti MG.Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease with clinical consequences and potential sequelae in horses. Objective: To estimate the pooled global seroprevalence of anti-Leptospira antibodies in horses, detected with the Microscopic Agglutination Test, the frequency by serogroups and serovars, the geographical distribution of studies and the main reported clinical signs and organic manifestations through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A bibliographic search was conducted for cross-sectional epidemiologic studies published between 2015 and 2025. The risk of bias was determined...
Development of an indirect ELISA for the detection of venezuelan equine encephalitis virus specific antibodies in horses.
PloS one    June 10, 2026   Volume 21, Issue 6 e0338819 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0338819
Chevrier M, Mathews-Martin L, Mariteragi-Helle T, Dumarest M, Boudjadi Y, Bréard E, Turpaud M, Deshayes T, Vissani MA, Vinueza RL, Coello Peralta R....Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) is a re-emerging zoonotic pathogen to which equines are most susceptible mammals hosts with a high mortality rate raging from19 to 83%. The virus, transmitted between vertebrates and mosquitos, causes unpredictable sporadic epizootic outbreaks in equids and humans across Central and South America. Although VEEV is not currently circulating in Europe the combination of global change, increasing international trade and the presence of potentially competent vectors (mosquitoes of the genera Aedes and Culex), raises a non-negligible risk of its introduct...
A retrospective study of morbidity and mortality in captive Przewalski’s horses (Equus przewalskii) between 1973 and 2021.
Journal of comparative pathology    June 9, 2026   Volume 228 1-9 doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2026.05.004
Quandel CP, Gohl C, Steinmetz HW, Blutke A, Denk D.Przewalski's horses (Equus przewalskii) were declared extinct in the wild in 1996, but reintroduction programmes initiated in 1997 have enabled the re-establishment of free-ranging populations. The maintenance of healthy captive populations remains essential to support these conservation efforts, yet systematic pathological investigations in captive Przewalski's horses are lacking. This study provides the first necropsy-based overview of morbidity and mortality in a captive European population. Pathology reports from 64 horses examined between 1973 and 2021 were reviewed retrospectively. Acros...
Seroprevalence of Leptospira in Lavradeiro horses, a semi-feral ecotype from the Northern Brazilian Amazon.
Veterinary research communications    June 9, 2026   Volume 50, Issue 5 381 doi: 10.1007/s11259-026-11328-8
da Silva Martins A, Silva TA, Heinemann MB, Guedes IB, Soares RR, Dias RA, Passos RF, Braga RM, Santos FCCD, Borsanelli AC.Leptospirosis is a neglected zoonosis with significant impact on public and veterinary health, with equines acting as potential maintenance hosts of infection. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of Leptospira in Lavradeiro horses under semi-feral conditions in Indigenous communities in the state of Roraima, Brazil. A total of 387 serum samples were subjected to the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), using antigens of Leptospira spp. from 18 serogroups. The overall prevalence was 15.8% (95% CI: 12.3-19.8%), with the most frequent serogroups being Australis, Tarassovi, Autumna...
Prevalence, genomic diversity and emerging antimicrobial resistance of Taylorella asinigenitalis in Grand Noir du Berry breeding donkeys.
Veterinary microbiology    June 6, 2026   Volume 320 111111 doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2026.111111
Breuil MF, Duquesne F, Magoga J, Sévin C, Kozak S, Gesbert A, Petit A, Reigner F, Petry S.Taylorella asinigenitalis is a fastidious Gram-negative bacterium of the equine genital tract, found more commonly in donkeys than horses. Although considered non-pathogenic, it is closely related to Taylorella equigenitalis, the agent of contagious equine metritis, and has been linked to experimental and natural cases of endometritis. The SAFRAN project (French acronym for "Sauvegarde de la fertilité de l'âne", meaning "Preservation of donkey fertility"), launched in 2024 by the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) with support from the Centre-Val...
First molecular detection of Theileria haneyi infection in horses in Southern Spain.
Frontiers in veterinary science    June 4, 2026   Volume 13 1841333 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1841333
Mendoza FJ, Pérez-Écija A, Suarez CE, Martínez E, Navarro A, Kappmeyer LS, Bastos RG.Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease of equids caused by the hemoparasites , and . , a close relative of that causes mild clinical signs under experimental conditions, has been reported in several countries, adding complexity to EP ecology, diagnosis, and treatment. However, its presence in Spain remains unknown, which is concerning given the country's importance in equine genetics and international trade. Hereby, we investigated the presence of in blood samples from equids in Spain. Unassigned: Blood samples from 222 equids (218 horses, two donkeys, two mules) suspected of EP a...
West Nile Virus in Horses as a Sentinel Host in One Health Surveillance: Epidemiological Insights and Future Perspectives.
Microorganisms    June 3, 2026   Volume 14, Issue 6 1263 doi: 10.3390/microorganisms14061263
West Nile virus (WNV) is a globally distributed mosquito-borne flavivirus with significant implications for both veterinary and public health. While horses are incidental dead-end hosts, their epidemiological role extends beyond clinical disease, as they can serve as effective sentinel hosts for detecting local viral circulation. Their frequent exposure to mosquito vectors, ability to mount measurable antibody responses, geographic stability, accessibility for monitoring, and the possibility of observation within managed owner-veterinarian systems make them particularly suitable for surveillan...
Molecular prevalence of equine herpesvirus type 1 and equine herpesvirus type 4 in thoroughbred and Arabian horse facilities in Türkiye.
Acta veterinaria Hungarica    June 2, 2026   004.2026.01202 doi: 10.1556/004.2026.01202
Ekİncİ G, Tİmur MC, Mete A, Altınbay K, Denİz Ö, Derellİ FM, Çeşme GS, Tüfekçİ E, Onmaz AC, Güneş V, Çİtİl M, Keleş İ....Equine herpesvirus-1 and -4 are contagious viruses causing respiratory disease and reproductive losses in horses. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in eight Turkish stud farms using RT-PCR analysis of nasal secretions, uterine fluids and aborted foal tissues. Deep nasal swabs were collected from 443 horses showing acute-onset fever and/or clinical signs of respiratory disease. Additionally, uterine swabs and tissue samples (lung, liver, spleen, thymus, kidney, heart) were obtained from 152 abortion cases. Among symptomatic horses, EHV-1 DNA was found in 2 cases (0...
Integrative and conjugative elements carrying high-level gentamicin resistance genes in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis from horses.
Microbial genomics    May 27, 2026   Volume 12, Issue 5 001722 doi: 10.1099/mgen.0.001722
Rochegüe T, Hughes S, Saras E, Gillet B, Drapeau A, Glaser P, Madec JY, Haenni M, Lupo A.In streptococci, the acquisition of high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) abolishes the synergy with beta-lactams, constituting a medical concern for humans and animals. This synergy between gentamicin and beta-lactams is useful to treat severe infections like endocarditis, among others. HLGR has been characterized mostly in roup B Streptococci mediated by the bi-functional gene (6)-(2).HLGR- subsp. () (=27) were isolated from the uterus of mares during a routine screening before fecundation. One HLGR- was isolated from a lymph node of a mare. The mares resided in six different studs locat...
Surveillance of equine glanders in India (2019-2023): Prevalence estimate, risk analysis and future strategy.
Microbial pathogenesis    May 26, 2026   Volume 217 108597 doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2026.108597
Singha H, Shanmugasundaram K, Jhandai P, Rani R, Yashpal , Mandal BN, Kanani A, Shah N, Bhatt L, Khasa V, Koul R, Amandeep , Tapase J, Parnam S....Equine glanders, a notifiable zoonotic disease caused by Burkholderia mallei, continues to pose a significant health and regulatory challenge in India. This study summarizes the outcomes of a nationwide sero surveillance programme conducted between January 2019 and December 2023 to assess the distribution and temporal trends of glanders in equid populations. A total of 158,798 serum samples collected from 391 districts across 19 states and three union territories were screened using Hcp1-based indirect ELISA, followed by confirmatory testing through the complement fixation test. During the fiv...
Risk assessment of West Nile fever in equines in Europe based on an ecological niche model.
BMC veterinary research    May 18, 2026   Volume 22, Issue 1 407 doi: 10.1186/s12917-026-05298-x
Wang Y, An Q, Liu Y, Yang T, Sun Z.West Nile fever is a zoonotic viral disease transmitted by Culex mosquitoes, capable of causing severe neurological illness in humans, equines, and birds. Over the past dozen years, Europe has experienced numerous WNF outbreaks of varying severity, leading to significant public health and economic impacts. Consequently, WNF has emerged as a major concern for both public health and veterinary sectors. In this study, we employed spatiotemporal analysis techniques alongside an optimized ecological niche model to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of historical WNF outbreaks, pre...
CXCL16-associated genetic susceptibility to equine viral arteritis in export-bound horses from Spain.
Equine veterinary journal    May 14, 2026   doi: 10.1002/evj.70191
Gago P, Cruz-Lopez F, Dorrego A, Rivera B, de Juan L, Lorente-Leal V.Equine viral arteritis (EVA) remains a relevant health and economic concern due to the ability of some infected stallions to establish long-term persistent infection with equine arteritis virus (EAV). Allelic variation in the CXCL16 gene has been identified as a determinant of susceptibility or resistance to the carrier state, positioning genotyping as a useful tool for risk-based reproductive and health management. Objective: To characterise the distribution of CXCL16 genotypes in export-bound horses from Spain and to assess the utility of CXCL16 genotyping for EVA prevention and control. Met...
Clinical audit on antimicrobial stewardship effectiveness in reducing antimicrobial-resistant bacterial colonisation in hospitalised horses.
Equine veterinary journal    May 12, 2026   doi: 10.1002/evj.70171
Mazzola K, Lanci A, Piva S, Schisa V, Mariella J, Scarpellini R, Freccero F, De Carolis E, Tumietto F, Castagnetti C.International guidelines support the One Health approach and recommend antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) in veterinary medicine. National data on antimicrobial-resistant bacterial colonisation rates (AMRb CR) in horses remain limited. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an ASP in reducing AMRb CR in a Veterinary Teaching Hospital using a clinical audit. Methods: Clinical audit. Methods: In Autumn 2021 active AMR surveillance in Perinatology/Reproduction and Internal Medicine Units planned; January-July 2022-first audit cycle (A1); Autumn 2022-review and implementation of anti...
Genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii isolates from members of the families camelidae and equidae worldwide: a systematic review.
Irish veterinary journal    May 7, 2026   doi: 10.1186/s13620-026-00344-4
Hataminejad M, Lashaki EK, Behboudi E, Esmaeili B, Ahmadi S, Galeh TM.Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite with a global distribution and significant public health and veterinary treatment implications. The present systematic review collates worldwide information on the genotypic diversity of T. gondii isolates infecting Camelidae (camels, alpacas, llamas, etc.) and Equidae (horses, donkeys, zebras, mules, etc.) and highlights their potential role as sentinels of environmental contamination and zoonotic spread. An exhaustive literature search of six electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, Science Direct, and Google Scholar) from ...
Global prevalence and epidemiological determinants of African horse sickness: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)    May 4, 2026   106698 doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2026.106698
Purnama MTE, Firdausy LW, Fikri F, Wicaksono AP, Maslamama ST, Wardhani LDK.African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly fatal, vector-borne viral disease of equids with substantial economic and animal health impacts, particularly in endemic regions. Despite numerous epidemiological studies, reported prevalence estimates remain highly variable, and a comprehensive quantitative synthesis is lacking. This study aimed to systematically evaluate and synthesize the global prevalence of AHS and to identify sources of epidemiological heterogeneity. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, with the protocol registered in the Open Scie...
Molecular and serological survey on Theileria equi and Babesia caballi infecting Arabian horses in the northern provinces of Syria.
Open veterinary journal    April 30, 2026   Volume 16, Issue 4 2203-2211 doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.22
Abdaljwad M, Al-Sabi MNS, Shawaf T, Mokahwi AA, Alfares W, Abdalkader A.Equine babesiosis is one of the prevalent diseases in horses worldwide, but its presence in Syria generally and in the northern region specifically is not known. In Syria, the civil war has severely disrupted veterinary services, hence disease control measures, creating a fertile ground for the spread of tick-borne diseases. Unassigned: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive molecular and serological survey of and . in Arabian horses from the northern provinces of Syria, regions heavily impacted by the war. Unassigned: A total of 110 Arabian horses, aged between 2 and 10 years, were inc...
Horse racing towards antibiotic resistance. Accompanying animals as a source of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Journal of applied genetics    April 29, 2026   doi: 10.1007/s13353-026-01053-y
Lepianka A, Sitkiewicz I.Antibiotic resistance is a significant issue in modern infectious medicine and veterinary science, with animals, including horses, playing a crucial role in its dissemination. Antibiotics, used both for treatment and prevention of diseases in animals, influence the composition of the microbiota and promote the selection of resistant strains that can be transmitted to humans through direct or environmental contact. Horses, currently classified as companion animals, serve as a reservoir of commensal and pathogenic bacteria, including multidrug-resistant strains capable of horizontal gene transfe...
Equine sentinels and one health: a comprehensive serological survey of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in southeastern and Central Europe.
Frontiers in veterinary science    April 24, 2026   Volume 13 1810641 doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1810641
Italiya J, Nekudova P, Vaclavek P, Rusenova NV, Rusenov AG, Mihalca AD, Bărbuceanu F, Vuta VB, Hristescu DV, Modry D, Hensley LE, Rimoin AW, Zurek L.Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is the widespread tick-borne viral disease affecting humans with endemic circulation across Africa, Asia, Eastern and Southern Europe. Climate change, global travel, and animal trade have accelerated the expansion of spp., the primary tick vectors of CCHF, into previously non-endemic areas, including the Czech Republic. To assess the current distribution of CCHF in equids across Southeastern and Central Europe, we screened serum samples from horses and donkeys from Bulgaria ( = 579), Romania ( = 1,534), and the Czech Republic ( = 576) by the ...
Autochthonous Leishmaniosis in Dogs, Cats, Horses, and Wildlife in the United States of America.
Microorganisms    April 20, 2026   Volume 14, Issue 4 930 doi: 10.3390/microorganisms14040930
Yao C, Yang Y, Du A.Leishmaniasis is endemic in 99 countries worldwide, including the United States of America (USA). Its causative pathogens, spp. have been detected in both humans and animals within the USA. Lately, we have comprehensively reviewed autochthonous leishmaniasis in humans in this region. Animals play a pivotal role in maintaining its endemicity in some endemic areas and regions, for example, dogs in Brazil and the Mediterranean. In this review, we thoroughly examine autochthonous leishmaniosis in dogs, cats, horses, and wildlife in the USA, and we synthesize integration across species, transmissi...
HERDA-associated variant in bull-catching (vaquejada) Brazilian Northeastern bull-catching Quarter Horses.
Journal of equine veterinary science    April 11, 2026   105892 doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2026.105892
Caceres AM, Sperandio LMS, Alvarenga NACA, Borges AS, Oliveira-Filho JP.Bull-catching (vaquejada) accounting for approximately 13% of sport horses in Brazil. Genetic screening has enabled strategies to reduce the spread of inherited disorders, including Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA), a major skin disease included in the Six Panel required for registration by the Brazilian Quarter Horse Breeders Association. Although the HERDA-associated variant has been extensively studied in other disciplines, it had not been evaluated in Bull-catching Quarter Horses (QH). Objective: The present study aimed to determine the allele frequency of the pathogenic ...
Equine Salmonella in Argentina: Genetic relatedness with humans and other animal species and first detection of serovar Freetown.
Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases    April 10, 2026   Volume 127 102469 doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2026.102469
Salmonellosis in horses can cause severe enteritis with diarrhea, fever, and colic, which is usually severe in foals and hospitalized or immunocompromised animals. Carrier horses may intermittently shed Salmonella, thereby acting as a source of infection for other animals and humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and molecular subtyping of Salmonella spp. in horses from Argentina, focusing on potential zoonotic relevance. Only a single isolate (S. Newport) was obtained from fecal samples of 249 clinically healthy horses (2018-2022), indicating a very low carrier detec...
Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus Exposure in Horses and Donkeys in Border Livestock Markets of Nigeria.
Zoonoses and public health    April 5, 2026   doi: 10.1111/zph.70056
Ehizibolo DO, Oyekan O, Mkpuma N, Haliru H, Garba I, Turaki IZ, Kennedy S, Shallangwa JM, Kilyobas CS, Mohammed A, Muhammad MA, Abubakar M....Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of major public health importance in Africa. Although CCHFV exposure has been reported in several livestock species in Nigeria, data on equids remain limited despite their extensive involvement in livestock movement and trade. This study assessed CCHFV seroprevalence in horses and donkeys in major international livestock markets in northern Nigeria and examined factors associated with exposure. Methods: From June 2023 to July 2024, a longitudinal sero-surveillance study was conducted in three high-volume livestock...
Priorities and Recommendations for Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Improve Equid Health and Welfare.
Animals : an open access journal from MDPI    April 1, 2026   Volume 16, Issue 7 1082 doi: 10.3390/ani16071082
Young PL, Hyde R, Douglas J, Freeman SL.Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being increasingly used for equid health and welfare. This study aimed to establish consensus on where and how AI should be developed to achieve maximum benefit in this field. A workshop involving 41 stakeholders generated statements about current welfare concerns, areas for AI development, and barriers and solutions to AI use. Statements were circulated through Delphi surveys (acceptance set at 75% agreement). One-hundred-and-six statements reached agreement. Ethological needs not being met and poor equid management practices were key welfare concerns. Particip...
Global seroprevalence and epidemiological patterns of equine viral arteritis from 1968 to 2025: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Preventive veterinary medicine    March 30, 2026   Volume 252 106876 doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2026.106876
Firdausy LW, Fikri F, Wicaksono AP, Maslamama ST, Purnama MTE.Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is a globally widespread infectious disease affecting equids, with significant consequences for reproductive efficiency and the regulation of international equine trade. Nevertheless, despite the accumulation of numerous region-specific investigations, an integrated synthesis of global seroprevalence estimates and overarching epidemiological patterns remains insufficiently developed. Objective: To calculate the pooled global seroprevalence of EVA and to explore sources of epidemiological heterogeneity. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken ...
Diagnosis and Surveillance of West Nile Virus Infection in Horses: Current Methods, Challenges, and Future Directions.
Veterinary sciences    March 30, 2026   Volume 13, Issue 4 332 doi: 10.3390/vetsci13040332
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus of growing importance for both human and equine health in Europe. Horses are highly susceptible to neurological disease and, because they share ecological exposure with humans, they represent valuable sentinels for detecting local viral circulation within a One Health framework. However, diagnosis of WNV infection in equines is complicated by the short and low-level viraemia, which limits the sensitivity of molecular assays, and by serological cross-reactivity with related flaviviruses and the confounding effects of vaccination. In this narr...
The 2025 outbreak of equine influenza among draft horses at Obihiro Racecourse, Hokkaido, Japan.
The Journal of veterinary medical science    March 25, 2026   doi: 10.1292/jvms.26-0092
Fukumoto N, Shibata M, Hayashi M, Kawauchi K, Yabuuchi Y, Oue Y, Matsuyama R, Yamamoto T, Mita H, Kawanishi N, Bannai H, Tsujimura K, Yamanaka T....In 2025, an outbreak of equine influenza occurred among draft horses at Obihiro Racecourse in Hokkaido, Japan. The number of horses showing clinical signs increased dramatically in April. The proportion affected was significantly higher in 2-year-olds than in older groups. The proportion that developed fever during the outbreak was significantly higher than that observed among Thoroughbreds during the 2007 outbreak. In non-epidemic periods, the geometric mean hemagglutination inhibition antibody titer of 2-year-old draft horses was significantly lower than that of 2-year-old Thoroughbreds. The...
Multi-state equine botulism outbreak in the United States linked to contaminated feed: an epidemiologic, clinicopathologic, and regulatory investigation. Aguirre Siliezar K, Datu C, Proia K, Rotstein D, Nemser SM, Tyson GH, Ragsdale JM, Wilkes RP, Baker RE, Carossino M, Del Piero F, Sasaki E, Yant P....A multi-state outbreak of equine botulism occurred between December 2022 and March 2023 in the United States. Follow-up and testing were performed on 42 horses, including 24 that died or were euthanized in the outbreak that affected ~98 horses. Affected horses had all been exposed to the same commercial feed. Clinical signs included progressive muscle weakness and tremors, recumbency, and colic. No significant gross or microscopic abnormalities were observed on autopsy. Feces and gastrointestinal content were tested for various infectious agents, including botulinum toxin; fecal samples from 2...
Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) feeding on donkeys in the United Kingdom, with reference to the risk of transmission and persistence of African horse sickness virus.
Medical and veterinary entomology    March 20, 2026   doi: 10.1111/mve.70061
Langlands Z, Gubbins S, Carpenter S, England M.African horse sickness virus (AHSV: Sedoreoviridae; Orbivirus) causes a severe and often fatal disease in horses (African horse sickness: AHS) and is transmitted almost exclusively by Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). In recent years, unprecedented outbreaks of AHSV have occurred in new geographical foci in Thailand and other related Culicoides-borne viruses continue to emerge unexpectedly, causing disease outbreaks in northern Europe. This study investigated Culicoides abundance and diversity at a donkey (Equus asinus) sanctuary in southern England. The incidence and severi...