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Topic:Epidemiology
Epidemiology in horses involves the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states and events in equine populations. It encompasses the investigation of patterns, causes, and effects of diseases and health conditions within horse populations. This field of study aims to identify risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare. Key components of equine epidemiology include disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and the study of disease dynamics within herds or regions. Research in this area often focuses on infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, and the impact of environmental factors on equine health. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore various aspects of epidemiology in horses, including disease prevalence, transmission pathways, and strategies for disease prevention and control.
Factors Associated With Corneal Ulceration in Horses: 420 Cases (2020-2023). To evaluate how environmental and other risk factors are associated with the prevalence of corneal ulceration in horses presenting to equine emergency veterinarians in the Western United States. Methods: Retrospective study conducted from May 2020 to November 2023. Methods: Equine field and hospital practice in the Western United States. Methods: Four hundred twenty horses with corneal ulceration, confirmed by clinical examination and fluorescein staining, of any underlying cause. Methods: None. Results: The primary study outcomes were the association between environmental factors (wind speed,...
Increasing Seroprevalence In Horses Evidences Widespread Circulation Of West Nile Virus In Albania. West Nile virus (WNV) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes West Nile disease, an emerging and re-emerging infection of major global importance. Horses are an important sentinel species for monitoring WNV circulation. Since viraemia in horses is brief and viral loads in the blood are low, serological assays are the primary tools used to monitor WNV exposure. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of WNV antibodies in horses in Albania. Between 2017 and 2020, 509 serum samples were collected from apparently healthy, unvaccinated horses across different regions of the coun...
Risk Factors for Disease in Military Working Equines. Diseases can impact Military Working Equids (MWEs) readiness and limit days in service. The objectives of this study are to categorize diseases in MWEs and evaluate potential risk factors for disease. Methods: Pathology reports from MWEs from 2005 to 2025 were retrieved from the Joint Pathology Center archives. Disease processes with ≥5 cases were evaluated for potential risk factors, including MWE breed, sex, neuter status, geographic location, and age at sampling. Results: Diagnoses included inflammation (n = 30), neoplasia/proliferation (n = 24), within normal limits (n = 12),...
Evaluation of Serum Specific IgE Sensitization Profiles in a Korean Domestic Horse Population Using a Multiplex Allergen Line-blot Assay: A Cross-Sectional Screening Study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical applicability of a multiplex serum specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE) test kit 'ANITIA Equine IgE' for identifying the causes of allergic diseases in horses raised in Korea, and to determine the major sensitization antigen profiles in the domestic horse population. Serum or plasma samples were collected from a total of 140 horses, classified by management system (Group A, n=108) and purpose (Group B, n=32). IgE concentrations for 120 environmental and dietary allergens were measured using a multiplex line-blot assay based on an indirect immu...
Race type and race distance as determinants of unseat events in U.S. steeplechase racing, 2023-2025. Unseat events in steeplechase racing, including falls and lost-rider incidents, affect equine welfare and jockey safety. Timber races are often perceived as higher risk than hurdle/fence races, but are also longer. Methods: This retrospective observational study analyzed 3070 U.S. National Steeplechase Association hurdle/fence and timber starts from 2023 to 2025. Flat, steeplethon, training, and apprentice/amateur-apprentice starts were excluded. Crude rates of falls, lost-rider incidents, and combined unseat events were compared between race types. Multivariable Poisson regression examined ...
Seroprevalence, risk factors and hematological parameters associated with Equine Infectious Anemia from Casanare, Colombia. Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a persistent lentiviral disease with important sanitary and economic implications in tropical regions; however, epidemiological information in Colombia remains limited. Objective: To estimate seroprevalence, identify risk factors, and evaluate hematological alterations associated with EIA in horses from Casanare, Colombia. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 1,228 horses from 204 production units across 121 rural districts. Serological diagnosis was performed using agar gel immunodiffusion. Demographic and management data were obtained through an epidem...
Nucleic acid detection and molecular traceability of equine herpesvirus 1 in imported horses. Equid alphaherpesvirus 1 is a major pathogen threatening the global equine industry, causing respiratory disease, abortion, and neurological disease. Unassigned: In April 2024, during routine pathogen screening of a batch of imported quarantine horses from the Netherlands, four out of 20 nasal swab samples tested positive for EHV-1 nucleic acid. Unassigned: The affected horses exhibited only mild respiratory signs. ORF30 SNP typing at nucleotide position 2254 and Sanger sequencing confirmed that all positive samples belonged to the N752 non-neuropathogenic genotype. As virus isolation was unsu...
First Molecular Survey of Equine Adenovirus Type 1 Infection Among Horses in Poland. Equine adenovirus type 1 (EAdV-1) infection has been recognised among horses worldwide. The virus predominantly targets respiratory tract but has also been recovered from other body systems. The objective of the study was to determine the frequency of EAdV-1 infection among selected horse populations in Poland and to estimate genetic variability within the viruses obtained. A quantitative PCR assay targeting a partial gene was used to screen 1150 nasal swabs collected from 1145 horses from 19 horse studs throughout Poland. The samples were collected opportunistically between 2012 and 2025. A ...
Factors associated with equine influenza during the 2025 outbreak in a draft horse population at the Obihiro Racecourse, Japan. In April 2025, equine influenza re-emerged in Japan for the first time in 17 years, resulting in an outbreak at a horse racecourse for Ban'ei racing, a unique form of horse racing in which draft horses pull heavy sleds. This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of the outbreak and identify individual- and management-level factors associated with equine influenza cases in order to develop improved control programs. A retrospective analysis was conducted using clinical records reported to the racecourse authority between April 21 and June 18, 2025. Cases were defined based...
Three-year evaluation of anthelmintic treatment efficacy against equine strongyles in France using FECRT. Reduced anthelmintic efficacy against strongyles in equids is a widespread concern, but up-to-date field data are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate, over a three-year period, the efficacy of the anthelmintic (AH) molecules available in France (fenbendazole, pyrantel, ivermectin and moxidectin) against strongyles in equids using faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs). A total of 104 complete FECRTs (i.e., required sample size reached) were conducted in 98 groups, involving 749 equids kept in 70 facilities. Fenbendazole-resistant populations were detected in 8/9 groups (89%) from ...
Molecular detection of African horse sickness virus from selected areas in Ethiopia. Equines are vital to global economies and support millions of livelihoods. However, their productivity and welfare are severely hindered by infectious diseases such as African Horse Sickness, which causes major socio-economic losses in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to May 2023 to isolate and detect African horse sickness virus in equines across epidemic areas of Ethiopia. In total, 30 blood samples and 2 tissue representative specimens were aseptically collected from clinically sick and recently dead animals and transported under cold chain to the National ...
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...
Global distribution of cattle, horses, goats, sheep and buffaloes at 1 km resolution for 2000-2022 based on subnational census data and spatiotemporal machine learning. The article describes the production and evaluation of annual livestock densities and headcounts of cattle, horses, sheep, goats and buffaloes (including 95% probability prediction intervals) at 1 km spatial resolution for the 2000-2022 period using spatiotemporal machine learning. A compilation of subnational livestock census data has been imported, harmonized and used as reference data (55,336 census polygons and 939,257 individual data entries; covering 147 countries) to build predictive models. A large stack of multi-source harmonized raster data sets (128 individual layers) were used as f...
Prevalence and Molecular Characterisation of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Equines in Algeria. Limited data are available on the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in equines in Algeria. No prior molecular data existed on giardiasis in this host population. Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in equines across multiple regions of Algeria, and to characterise species, subtypes and assemblages present. Methods: Between December 2021 and December 2022, 197 faecal samples were collected from 104 horses, 89 donkeys, 2 ponies, 1 zebra and 1 mule from 46 private farms,...
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 and risk factors of African horse sickness in equines in central Gondar, Ethiopia. African horse sickness is a severe vector-borne viral disease of equines, associated with high mortality and substantial economic losses. In Ethiopia, where equines are essential for transport and agriculture, the disease remains endemic, yet epidemiological data are limited in many areas. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) and describe variation in seropositivity across selected factors in equines in the Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to August 2025, during which 384 serum samples were...
Activity type, sex, season, and number of prior starts are associated with proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses in South Korea. To identify risk factors associated with proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Thoroughbreds in South Korea. Unassigned: A retrospective case-control design with multivariable logistic regression was used. This study included 138 Thoroughbreds diagnosed with proximal sesamoid bone fractures following racetrack activity between 2020 and 2025. Additionally, 580 healthy Thoroughbreds (635 observations) with at least 1 racetrack activity during the same period were included as controls. Unassigned: A total of 7 risk factors were identified. Races or trials had markedly higher fracture risk than race...
Seroprevalence and risk factor analysis of Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in small ruminants, camels, and equines in northwest Egypt. Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum infections are major causes of abortion and associated economic losses in the global livestock industry, particularly among ruminants. In Egypt, maintaining high levels of livestock production is a priority due to ongoing economic challenges. However, data on animal toxoplasmosis are limited in certain regions, such as Matrouh governorate, and studies on neosporosis remain scarce nationwide. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and evaluate associated risk factors of T. gondii and N. caninum in small ruminants, camels, and equines from Matrouh ...
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...
Risk factors for post-partum colic in a population of UK and Irish Thoroughbred broodmares. Broodmares are at increased risk of gastrointestinal colic. However, colic risk factors specific to this population have not been investigated. Objective: To investigate horse- and management-level risk factors for post-partum colic in a cohort of Thoroughbred broodmares in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Methods: Prospective, nested case-control study. Methods: Twenty-nine Thoroughbred stud farms in the United Kingdom and Ireland were recruited, and 1044 mares were followed over the 2021 and/or 2022 foaling seasons. Data were collected on signalment, medical and management history for post-pa...
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...
Equine cyathostomins-Hidden histories. Cyathostomins (also known as small strongyles or small redworms) are ubiquitous parasites of equids. They are found in a wide range of climatic regions, and inhabit the large intestine of their hosts. While infections are often sub-clinical, clinical consequences ranging from chronic to acute, and most notably, acute larval cyathostominosis, can occur in specific circumstances. Control of cyathostomin infection is complicated by widespread drug resistance. This Chapter provides a broad review of cyathostomin biology and host-parasite relationships, and also highlights significant knowledge gap...
Screening Equine Skin and Mucous Membranes for Carriage of Coagulase-Positive Staphylococci. Commensal populations of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus spp. (CoPS) in healthy horses are not well-defined. Objective: To determine the point prevalence, anatomical distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility and genomic characteristics of CoPS in healthy horses. Methods: One-hundred and fifty privately owned, systemically healthy horses from seven facilities were enrolled in this study. Methods: Horses were sampled from the nares, buccal mucosa and three skin sites. Isolates were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and antimicrobial...
Intermittent shedding dynamics of EHV-1 across biological matrices during a natural outbreak linked to international equestrian events. Equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) outbreaks associated with international equestrian events have demonstrated the capacity of this virus for rapid transboundary dissemination. However, detailed longitudinal data integrating viral shedding across multiple biological matrices within the same animals during naturally occurring outbreaks remain limited. In this study, ten horses hospitalized during a naturally occurring EHV-1 outbreak linked to an international jumping competition were monitored for 10-12 days, from which 306 nasal, ocular, urine and faecal samples were obtained and analysed by qu...
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...
