FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Ir Vet J / A review of African horse sickness and its implications for ...
Irish veterinary journal2012; 65(1); 9; doi: 10.1186/2046-0481-65-9

A review of African horse sickness and its implications for Ireland.

Abstract: African horse sickness is an economically highly important non-contagious but infectious Orbivirus disease that is transmitted by various species of Culicoides midges. The equids most severely affected by the virus are horses, ponies, and European donkeys; mules are somewhat less susceptible, and African donkeys and zebra are refractory to the devastating consequences of infection. In recent years, Bluetongue virus, an Orbivirus similar to African horse sickness, which also utilises Culicoides spp. as its vector, has drastically increased its range into previously unaffected regions in northern Europe, utilising indigenous vector species, and causing widespread economic damage to the agricultural sector. Considering these events, the current review outlines the history of African horse sickness, including information concerning virus structure, transmission, viraemia, overwintering ability, and the potential implications that an outbreak would have for Ireland. While the current risk for the introduction of African horse sickness to Ireland is considered at worst 'very low', it is important to note that prior to the 2006 outbreak of Bluetongue in northern Europe, both diseases were considered to be of equal risk to the United Kingdom ('medium-risk'). It is therefore likely that any outbreak of this disease would have serious socio-economic consequences for Ireland due to the high density of vulnerable equids and the prevalence of Culicoides species, potentially capable of vectoring the virus.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2012-07-05 PubMed ID: 22553991PubMed Central: PMC3390273DOI: 10.1186/2046-0481-65-9Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study delves into the African Horse Sickness, an infectious disease transmitted by the Culicoides midges, specifically its potential threat to Ireland. The researchers analyze the history, transmission, and potential socioeconomic consequences of a potential outbreak in the country.

Overview of African Horse Sickness

  • African Horse sickness is an infectious disease but it is not contagious. It poses economic threat because it affects horses, ponies, and European donkeys which are all economically-important equids.
  • Different species of Culicoides midges transmit the disease. These are small flies that carry the disease to different hosts.
  • Mules, African donkeys, and zebras, while susceptible to the disease, do not experience as severe consequences as horses, ponies, and European donkeys do.

Recent developments and implications

  • The occurrences of Bluetongue virus, a disease similar to African horse sickness, have drastically increased in northern Europe, a region previously unaffected by it. Like African horse sickness, bluetongue virus also uses Culicoides species as vectors. The spread of bluetongue virus has caused extensive economic damage in agriculture.
  • This review focuses on the potential impact of African Horse Sickness to Ireland, taking the recent outbreak of Bluetongue virus into consideration.
  • Although the possibility of African horse sickness entering Ireland is currently very low, the economic consequences could be serious due to the high density of vulnerable equids and the prevalence of Culicoides species.

African Horse Sickness and Ireland

  • Ireland, known for its equestrian industry, could be severely affected in the event of an outbreak due to a high population of equids and the fact that Culicoides species, which are potential vectors, are prevalent.
  • The risk level may seem low at the moment, but it is worth noting that before the 2006 outbreak of Bluetongue in northern Europe, the risks for both diseases were considered medium in the United Kingdom. This suggests that the risk level ratings can change with changing circumstances and variables.
  • The report therefore calls for continuous surveillance and preparedness to prevent or lessen the socio-economic impacts in case an outbreak occurs.

Cite This Article

APA
Thompson GM, Jess S, Murchie AK. (2012). A review of African horse sickness and its implications for Ireland. Ir Vet J, 65(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-0481-65-9

Publication

Irish veterinary journal
ISSN: 2046-0481
NlmUniqueID: 0100762
Country: Ireland
Language: English
Volume: 65
Issue: 1
Pages: 9

Researcher Affiliations

Thompson, Geoffrey M
  • School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland. Geoffrey.Thompson@afbini.gov.uk.
Jess, Stephen
    Murchie, Archie K

      References

      This article includes 73 references
      1. Lord CC, Venter GJ, Mellor PS, Paweska JT, Woolhouse MEJ. Transmission patterns of African horse sickness and equine encephalosis viruses in South African donkeys.. Epidemiol Infect 2002;128:265–275.
        pmc: PMC2869820pubmed: 12002545
      2. Mellor PS, Hamblin C. African horse sickness.. Vet Res 2004;35:445–466.
        doi: 10.1051/vetres:2004021pubmed: 15236676google scholar: lookup
      3. Boinas F, Calistria P, Domingo M, Martínez-Avilés M, Martínez-López B, Rodríguez-Sánchez B, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. Scientific report submitted to EFSA on African Horse Sickness.. .
      4. Wilson A, Mellor PS, Szmaragd C, Mertens PPC. Adaptive strategies of African horse sickness virus to facilitate vector transmission.. Vet Res 2009;40(2):16.
        doi: 10.1051/vetres:2008054pmc: PMC2695022pubmed: 19094921google scholar: lookup
      5. Awad FI, Amin MM, Salama SA, Aly MM. The incidence of African horse sickness antibodies in animals of various species in Egypt.. Bull Anim Hlth Prod Afr 1981;29:285–287.
        pubmed: 7201860
      6. Van Rensburg IBJ, Declerk J, Groenewald HB, Botha WS. An outbreak of African horsesickness in dogs.. J S Afr Vet Assoc 1981;52:323–325.
        pubmed: 7341783
      7. Alexander KA, Kat PW, House J, House C, Obrien SJ, Laurenson MK, McNutt JW, Osburn BI. African horse sickness and African carnivores.. Vet Microbiol 1995;47:133–140.
        doi: 10.1016/0378-1135(95)00059-Jpubmed: 8604545google scholar: lookup
      8. World Organisation for Animal Health. OIE Listed diseases.. .
      9. Allison K, Taylor N, Upton M, Wilsmore T. African Horse Sickness. Impact on the UK Horse Industry. The potential effects on businesses, horses and horse owners.. .
      10. Moule L. Histoire de la Medecine Veterinaire.. Maulde, Paris; 1896.
      11. Henning MM. Animal Diseases in South African.. 3. Central News Agency, South Africa; 1956. African horse sickness, perdesiekte, Pestis equorum; pp. 785–808.
      12. Baylis M, Mellor PS, Meiswinkel R. Horse sickness and ENSO in South Africa.. Nature 1999;397:574–574.
        doi: 10.1038/17512pubmed: 10050850google scholar: lookup
      13. Coetzer JAW, Erasmus BJ. In: Infectious diseases of livestock with special reference to southern Africa. Volume 1. African horse sickness; pp. 460–475.. Oxford University Press, Cape Town; 1994.
      14. Barnard BJ. Epidemiology of African horse sickness and the role of the zebra in South Africa.. Arch Virol Suppl 1998;14:13–19.
        pubmed: 9785491
      15. World Organisation for Animal Health. Afican horse sickness, South Africa.. .
      16. Howell PG. The 1960 epizootic in the Middle East and SW Asia.. J S Afr Vet Med Assoc 1960;31:329–334.
      17. Mirchamsy H, Hazrati A. A review on etiology and pathogeny of African horse sickness.. Arch Razi Inst 1973;25:23–46.
      18. Hamblin C, Salt JS, Mellor PS, Graham SD, Smith PR, Wohlsein P. Donkeys as reservoirs of African horse sickness virus.. Arch Virol Suppl 1998;14:37–47.
        pubmed: 9785494
      19. Lubroth J. African horse sickness and the epizootic in Spain 1987.. Equine Pract 1988;10:26–33.
      20. Mellor PS. African horse sickness - transmission and epidemiology.. Vet Res 1993;24:199–212.
        pubmed: 8102076
      21. Anonymous. Manual of Recommended Diagnostic Techniques and Requirements for Biological Products for lists A & B Diseases. African horse sickness.. Volume 3. OIE, ; 1991.
      22. Rodriguez M, Hooghuis H, Castano M. African horse sickness in Spain.. Vet Microbiol 1992;33:129–142.
        doi: 10.1016/0378-1135(92)90041-Qpubmed: 1481352google scholar: lookup
      23. Portas M, Boinas FS, Sousa JOE, Rawlings P. African horse sickness in Portugal: a successful eradication programme.. Epidemiol Infect 1999;123:337–346.
        doi: 10.1017/S0950268899002897pmc: PMC2810767pubmed: 10579455google scholar: lookup
      24. Howell PG. The isolation and identification of further antigenic types of African horse sickness virus.. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1962;29:139–149.
      25. Spence RP, Moore NF, Nuttall PA. The biochemistry of Orbiviruses.. Arch Virol 1984;82:1–18.
        doi: 10.1007/BF01309364pubmed: 6093741google scholar: lookup
      26. Mertens PPC, Maan S, Samuel A, Attoui H. Orbivirus, Reoviridae; pp. 466–483.. In: Virus Taxonomy. Fauquet CM, Mayo MA, Maniloff J, Desselberger U, Ball LA, editor. Academic Press, London; 2005.
      27. Grubman MJ, Lewis SA. Identification and characterization of the structural and nonstructural proteins of African horsesickness virus and determination of the genome coding assignments.. Virology 1992;186:444–451.
        doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(92)90009-Epubmed: 1531096google scholar: lookup
      28. Mertens PPC, Pedley S, Cowley J, Burroughs JN, Corteyn AH, Jeggo MH, Jennings DM, Gorman BM. Analysis of the roles of Bluetongue virus outer capsid protein-VP2 and protein-VP5 in determination of virus serotype.. Virology 1989;170:561–565.
        doi: 10.1016/0042-6822(89)90447-9pubmed: 2543130google scholar: lookup
      29. Martinez-torrecuadrada JL, Casal JI. Identification of a linear neutralization domain in the protein VP2 of African horse sickness virus.. Virology 1995;210:391–399.
        doi: 10.1006/viro.1995.1355pubmed: 7542417google scholar: lookup
      30. Martinez-Torrecuadrada JL, Langeveld JPM, Venteo A, Sanz A, Dalsgaard K, Hamillon WDO, Meloen RH, Casal JI. Antigenic profile of African horse sickness virus serotype 4 VP5 and identification of a neutralizing epitope shared with bluetongue virus and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus.. Virology 1999;257:449–459.
        doi: 10.1006/viro.1999.9680pubmed: 10329555google scholar: lookup
      31. Mertens PPC, Mellor PS. Bluetongue.. State Vet J 2003;13:18–25.
      32. Mellor PS. Epizootiology and vectors of African horse sickness virus.. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 1994;17:287–296.
        doi: 10.1016/0147-9571(94)90048-5pubmed: 8001350google scholar: lookup
      33. Barnard BJH, Bengis R, Keet D, Dekker EH. Epidemiology of African horsesickness - Duration of viremia in zebra (Equus-burchelli). Onderstepoort J Vet Res 1994;61:391–393.
        pubmed: 7501371
      34. Erasmus BJ. The pathogenesis of African horse sickness; pp. 1–11.. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference of Equine Infectious Diseases. Bryans JT, Gerber H, editor. , Paris, France; 1973.
      35. Mellor PS. Replication of arboviruses in insect vectors.. J Comp Pathol 2000;123:231–247.
        doi: 10.1053/jcpa.2000.0434pubmed: 11041993google scholar: lookup
      36. Toit RM. The transmission of bluetongue and horsesickness by Culicoides.. Onderstepoort J Vet Anim Industry 1944;19:7–16.
      37. Borkent A, Wirth WW. World species of biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Bull Am Mus Nat Hist 1997;233:5–257.
      38. European Food Safety Authority. Scientific Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare on the EFSA Selfmandate on bluetongue and occurrence.. EFSA J 2007;408:1–20.
      39. Bouayoune H, Touti J, el Hasnaoui H, Baylis M, Mellor PS. The Culicoides vectors of African horse sickness virus in Morocco: distribution and epidemiological implications.. Arch Virol Suppl 1998;14:113–125.
        pubmed: 9785501
      40. Meiswinkel R. The 1996 outbreak of African horse sickness in South Africa-the entomological perspective.. Arch Virol Suppl 1998;14:69–83.
        pubmed: 9785497
      41. Mellor PS, Boorman J, Jennings M. Multiplication of African horse-sickness virus in 2 species of Culicoides (Diptera, Ceratopogonidae). Arch Virol 1975;47:351–356.
        doi: 10.1007/BF01347976pubmed: 1169931google scholar: lookup
      42. Mellor PS, Hamblin C, Graham SD. African horse sickness in Saudi-Arabia.. Vet Rec 1990;127:41–42.
        pubmed: 2118696
      43. Mellor PS, Boned J, Hamblin C, Graham S. Isolations of African horse sickness virus from vector insects made during the 1988 epizootic in Spain.. Epidemiol Infect 1990;105:447–454.
        doi: 10.1017/S0950268800048020pmc: PMC2271884pubmed: 2209746google scholar: lookup
      44. Venter GJ, Graham SD, Hamblin C. African horse sickness epidemiology: vector competence of South African Culicoides species for virus serotypes 3, 5 and 8.. Med Vet Entomol 2000;14:245–250.
        doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2915.2000.00245.xpubmed: 11016430google scholar: lookup
      45. Meiswinkel R, Paweska JT. Evidence for a new field Culicoides vector of African horse sickness in South Africa.. Prev Vet Med 2003;60:243–253.
        doi: 10.1016/S0167-5877(02)00231-3pubmed: 12900162google scholar: lookup
      46. Ozawa Y, Nakata G. Experimental transmission of African horse sickness by means of mosquitoes.. Am J Vet Res 1965;26:744–748.
        pubmed: 14316794
      47. Ozawa Y, Nakata G, Shad-del F, Navai S. Transmission of African horse-sickness by a species of mosquito, Aedes aegypti linnaeus.. Am J Vet Res 1966;27:695–697.
        pubmed: 4960145
      48. Ozawa Y, Shad-Del F, Nakata G, Navai S. Transmission of African horse sickness by means of mosquito bites and replication of the virus in Aedes-aegypti.. Arch Inst Razi 1970;22:113–122.
      49. Braverman Y, Boorman J. Rates of infection in, and transmission of, African horse-sickness virus by Aedes-aegypti mosquitoes.. Acta Virol 1978;22:329–332.
        pubmed: 29475
      50. Salama SA, El-Husseine MM, Abdulla SK. 4th Annual Report, US AHS project. Isolation and identification of African horse sickness virus in the camel tick; pp. 91–98.. Cairo, ; 1980.
      51. Tesh RB, Chanioti BN, Johnson KM. Vesicular stomatitis-virus (Indiana serotype) - Transovarial transmission by Phlebotomine Sandflies.. Science 1972;175:1477–1479.
        doi: 10.1126/science.175.4029.1477pubmed: 4335268google scholar: lookup
      52. Watts DM, Pantuwatana S, Defoliart GR, Yuill TM, Thompson WH. Transovarial transmission of lacrosse virus (California encephalitis group) in mosquito, Aedes triseriatus.. Science 1973;182:1140–1141.
        doi: 10.1126/science.182.4117.1140pubmed: 4750609google scholar: lookup
      53. White DM, Wilson WC, Blair CD, Beaty BJ. Studies on overwintering of bluetongue viruses in insects.. J Gen Virol 2005;86:453–462.
        doi: 10.1099/vir.0.80290-0pubmed: 15659765google scholar: lookup
      54. Sellers RF, Mellor PS. Temperature and the persistence of viruses in Culicoides spp. during adverse conditions.. Rev Sci Tech OIE 1993;12:733–755.
        pubmed: 8219328
      55. Mellor PS, Wellby MP. Effect of temperature on African horse sickness virus infection of and transmission by vector species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) pp. 246–251.. In: Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Equine Infectious Diseases. Werney U, Wade JF, Mumford JA, Kaaden OR, editor. R & W Publications, ; 1999.
      56. Boorman J. A review of Culicoides subgenus Avaritia species (Insecta, Diptera, Ceratopogonidae), vectors of viruses of sheep, cattle, and horses, with particular reference to Culicoides imicola in Europe and the Mediterranean region.. Report prepared for The Overseas Development Administration. , ; 1991.
      57. Capela R, Purse BV, Pena I, Wittman EJ, Margarita Y, Capela M, Romao L, Mellor PS, Baylis M. Spatial distribution of Culicoides species in Portugal in relation to the transmission of African horse sickness and bluetongue viruses.. Med Vet Entomol 2003;17:165–177.
        doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2915.2003.00419.xpubmed: 12823834google scholar: lookup
      58. Menzies FD, McCullough SJ, McKeown IM, Forster JL, Jess S, Batten C, Murchie AK, Gloster J, Fallows JG, Pelgrim W, Mellor PS, Oura CAL. Evidence for transplacental and contact transmission of bluetongue virus in cattle.. Vet Rec 2008;163:203–209.
        doi: 10.1136/vr.163.7.203pubmed: 18708653google scholar: lookup
      59. Wilson A, Darpel K, Mellor PS. Where does bluetongue virus sleep in the winter?. Plos Biol 2008;6:1612–1617.
        pmc: PMC2525685pubmed: 18752350
      60. Henessy K, Quinn K. The Future of the Irish Sport Horse Industry. Analysis and Recommendations.. .
      61. Dukes A. Analysis of the economic impact of the Irish Thoroughbred Horse Industry.. .
      62. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Research on the Equine sector in Northern Ireland.. .
      63. Aznar I, McAteer B, Gaynor S. Risk assessment of the introduction of African Horse Sickness (AHS) into the Republic of Ireland (ROI). .
      64. Sellers RF, Pedgley DE, Tucker MR. Possible spread of African horse sickness on the wind.. J Hyg 1977;79:279–298.
        doi: 10.1017/S0022172400053109pmc: PMC2129940pubmed: 269203google scholar: lookup
      65. MacLachlan NJ, Guthrie AJ. Re-emergence of bluetongue, African horse sickness, and other Orbivirus diseases.. Vet Res 2010;41(6):35.
        doi: 10.1051/vetres/2010007pmc: PMC2826768pubmed: 20167199google scholar: lookup
      66. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. Update No.6 on Schmallenberg Virus in Northern Europe.. .
      67. Gloster J, Burgin L, Witham C, Athanassiadou M, Mellor PS. Bluetongue in the United Kingdom and northern Europe in 2007 and key issues for 2008.. Vet Rec 2008;162:298–302.
        doi: 10.1136/vr.162.10.298pubmed: 18326840google scholar: lookup
      68. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs. African Horse Sickness in horses in South Africa. Preliminary Outbreak Assessment.. .
      69. Follett B, Allen P, Bateson P, Black D, Brown F, Eddy R, Leather S, Levin S, Linklater K, Longfield J, McConnell I, McLean A, McMichael A, Mumford J, Weiss R, Westergaard J. Infectious diseases in livestock.. The Royal Society, London; 2002.
      70. Wilson AJ, Mellor PS. Bluetongue in Europe: past, present and future.. Phil Trans R Soc B 2009;364:2669–2681.
        doi: 10.1098/rstb.2009.0091pmc: PMC2865089pubmed: 19687037google scholar: lookup
      71. Mintiens K, Meroc E, Mellor PS, Staubach C, Gerbier G, Elbers ARW, Hendrickx G, De Clercq K. Possible routes of introduction of bluetongue virus serotype 8 into the epicentre of the 2006 epidemic in North-Western Europe.. Prev Vet Med 2008;87:131–144.
        doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2008.06.011pubmed: 18667252google scholar: lookup
      72. McCarthy TK, Bateman A, Nowak D, Higgins T, Geraghty F, Sheehy E, Kirrane A, Moran P, Lawless A. BTV Vector Surveillance 2007–2008, 1st Annual Technical Report.. .
      73. Anonymous. Improving vaccines for African horse sickness.. Vet Rec 2010;167:38–38.

      Citations

      This article has been cited 9 times.
      Subscribe to our newsletter
      Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.