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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.
Tick-borne pathogens in a nature reserve area in the Netherlands: serological and molecular assessments in large herbivores and Ixodes ricinus ticks. Ticks are vectors of a wide range of pathogens, relevant to both veterinary and public health. Although tick surveillance is frequently conducted in the Netherlands, data on tick-borne pathogens in free-living herbivores remains limited, leaving the impact of these pathogens on animal health poorly understood. This study aimed to characterise tick species and determine seroprevalence and infection prevalence of selected tick-borne pathogens in large herbivores at the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve and questing ticks collected in the area. Between September 2023 and December 2024, blood was...
Longitudinal and spatial declines in equine Hendra virus vaccination despite continued risk. Hendra virus is an emerging zoonosis endemic to Australia with high fatality of infection in horses and humans. The role of infected domestic horses as amplifying bridge hosts for onward transmission to humans led to the creation of an equine vaccine as a One Health solution against spillover. Despite the risk this disease represents, previously reported equine vaccination rates were low. This study explored vaccination trends between 2012 and 2023 at fine spatial scales and identified demographic and ecological predictors of vaccination against emerging zoonoses. Over 1 million doses of Equiv...
Development of lateral flow assays for the rapid diagnosis of glanders in equids. Glanders is a contagious zoonotic disease caused by that primarily affects horses, donkeys, and mules. It remains endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America, where increasing case reports highlight the need for accessible diagnostic tools. Conventional diagnostic methods are limited by high costs and specialized laboratory requirements, whereas lateral flow assays (LFAs) offer practical, user-friendly, and rapid alternatives. In this study, we developed three LFAs targeting antibodies against the antigens Hcp1, GroEL, and whole-cell lysate (WCL), previously identifi...
Surveillance on African Horse Sickness Virus in China’s Southern Border Regions. African horse sickness (AHS) is a vector-borne and noncontagious disease caused by African horse sickness virus (AHSV) that poses a severe threat to the global equine industry. As a country historically free from AHS, China faces elevated risks due to recent outbreaks in Southeast Asia in 2020 and its ecological suitability of its border regions for AHSV vectors. Therefore, we conducted consecutive molecular and serological surveillance for AHSV in high-risk border regions from 2020 to 2024. A total of 3203 equine serum samples, 2909 whole-blood samples, and 1037 collections of blood-sucking...
Seroprevalence, Risk Factors, and Environmental Correlates of Babesia caballi, Toxoplasma gondii, and Coxiella burnetii in Equids from Southwestern Greece. Equids, primarily horses, are mostly used for recreational purposes, although in some rural areas they also serve as working animals, maintaining close and frequent contact with humans. Their risk of exposure to vector-borne and zoonotic pathogens can be affected by host-related factors, management practices and environmental conditions. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for infections by , , , and sensu lato in equids from Southwestern Greece. A total of 159 equids were tested using commercial serological assays. Weighted prevalence estimates were...
Vietnam’s Horse Sector: A Comprehensive Review of History, Production Systems, Health Challenges, and Research Priorities. Horses in Vietnam have a long historical presence and continue to hold economic, socio-cultural, and medicinal importance across diverse regions. Despite these roles, comprehensive scientific information on equine development, including health and disease patterns, reproductive performance, genetic resources, and biomedical applications, remains limited and fragmented. In this review, we summarize existing knowledge on equine populations, production systems, and their development in Vietnam, as well as their roles in cultural practices, livelihoods, and traditional medicine. We then identify m...
Detection of equine parapoxvirus in the stable environment during pastern dermatitis outbreak in Finland. Equine parapoxvirus (EqPPV) has emerged as a cause of recurring pastern dermatitis outbreaks in horses in Finland. First detected in 2013, EqPPV has since been associated with potentially hundreds of clinical cases and suspected zoonotic transmission. Based on serological data and field reports, EqPPV causes pastern dermatitis outbreaks in Finland every few years. This study aimed to investigate the environmental presence and plausible transmission dynamics of the virus to prepare for future outbreaks and give targeted guidelines to stable staff and veterinarians. Results: After a large-scale ...
First evidence of exposure to West Nile Virus in horses within Denmark, 2025. A nationwide serological screening of 822 horses was conducted in Autumn 2025 to investigate potential exposure to West Nile Virus (WNV) within Denmark. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against WNV, tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Usutu virus (USUV). Four horses without any history of travel outside of Denmark, or previous vaccination against WNV, tested positive for WNV neutralising antibodies. The results support local exposure to WNV indicating that virus infected mosquitoes have been present in Denmark and underline the usefulness of horses as sentinels for the risk of hum...
Leptospira in Working Horses From Rural Ecuador: A Neglected Occupational Risk. Neglected tropical zoonotic diseases such as leptospirosis continue to have a significant impact on animal and human health, especially in low-income countries due to limitations in surveillance and knowledge gaps to guide mitigation. In this context, equines have the potential to play an important role in the maintenance and transmission of spp. due to their susceptibility to a variety of serovars (often without signs of disease) and close contact with humans. To better understand the epidemiological role of horses, we evaluated exposure and identified circulating leptospires by collecting b...
First serological evidence of circulation of equine rhinitis A virus and molecular detection of equine rhinitis B virus in horses in North Africa. Equine rhinitis A virus (ERAV) and equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV) are major respiratory pathogens of horses with a global distribution. The aim of this study was to evaluate, for the first time in Algeria, the seroprevalence of ERAV antibodies, and to investigate a wide range of equine viruses (EIV, EHV-1, EHV-4, ERAV and ERBV). A total of 298 serum samples were collected between May 2022 and October 2023, from 11 provinces. Serological analysis for the presence of ERAV was performed using the complement fixation test (CFT). Our results revealed that 16.8% (50/298) samples tested positive for ...
Integrative Advances in Equine Genomics From Reference Assemblies to Evolutionary History and Key Traits. Horses are major domestic animals and cultural symbols that have accompanied humans for millennia. They underpin transport, agriculture, warfare and sport, and also provide a model for studying domestication, complex traits and adaptive evolution. Recent work in equine genomics has now generated a much richer picture of how these roles are grounded in the genome. This review brings together advances in several connected areas: the construction and refinement of reference assemblies; genomic reconstructions of origin, domestication and dispersal; global and regional patterns of genetic diversit...
The Occurrence of Bacterial Infections in Equine Wounds and Abscesses in Horses from 2019 to 2023. Bacterial infections in equine wounds are common and can complicate treatment and healing. This five-year retrospective study examined 2844 samples from wounds and abscesses from horses in Germany (2019-2023), analyzing bacterial prevalence by care setting and geographical region. A total of 4464 bacterial isolates were identified, with β-hemolytic streptococci (20.6%), (15.6%), and (13.0%) being the most common. Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) accounted for 35.9% of isolates. Resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins was detected in 15.2% of isolates. Samples from clinics s...
Prevalence, molecular characterization and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses from diverse husbandry systems across four provinces of northern and eastern China. Cryptosporidium is an obligate intracellular zoonotic protozoan causing diarrheal disease in humans and animals globally. Horses have more frequent close contact with humans through equestrian sports, breeding, and cross-regional trade. However, comprehensive molecular epidemiological data on diverse equine husbandry systems in China are limited. We tested 412 fecal samples from horses across four Chinese provinces via small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). C. parvum and C. equi were subtyped using the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene, and C. andersoni ...
Prevalence and spatial distribution of Brucella spp. seropositive equids from the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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 ...
