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[African horse sickness and equine encephalosis: must Switzerland get prepared].
Abstract: African horse sickness (AHS) of equines is partly transmitted by the same culicoides species as Bluetongue (BT) disease in even-toed ungulates. Horses normally get seriously sick, with a high case fatality rate. Equine Encephalosis is another, but less-known viral disease of equines, caused by viruses of the same genus as BT and AHS. Like BT of serotype 8 in 2006, both diseases could theoretically be introduced to Europe anytime and spread rapidly then. After the lessons learnt from the most recent bluetongue outbreaks in Europe, the regulations and AHS-contingency plans in force must be updated. All stakeholders must be aware of the risks and take own measures to prevent a possible emergence of the diseases, and be prepared in case of an outbreak.
Publication Date: 2010-04-03 PubMed ID: 20361395DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281/a000039Google 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.
- English Abstract
- Journal Article
- African Horse Sickness
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Transmission
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Public Health
- Vector-borne disease
- Veterinary Medicine
- Virus
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 research investigates two equine diseases, African Horse Sickness (AHS) and Equine Encephalosis, emphasizing the need for Switzerland to anticipate their potential introduction similar to Bluetongue disease in the past. The article strongly recommends updating existing regulatory measures and readiness plans, while making all parties aware of the risks and suggesting preventive actions.
African Horse Sickness and Equine Encephalosis
- African Horse Sickness (AHS) and Equine Encephalosis are two diseases that primarily affect horses.
- AHS is heavily transmitted partially by culicoides species, similar to the transmitters of the Bluetongue (BT) disease that affects even-toed ungulates. This disease makes horses seriously ill and carries a high fatality rate.
- Equine Encephalosis, although less known, is another viral disease that impacts horses. The causative viruses belong to the same genus as those causing BT and AHS.
Threat and Lessons from Bluetongue Disease Outbreak in Europe
- Similar to BT, these diseases could theoretically be introduced into Europe at any time and could spread rapidly once introduced.
- The BT outbreak of serotype 8 in Europe in 2006 served as a learning experience that highlighted the potential risks and subsequent impacts of these diseases.
- The lessons gleaned from the BT outbreaks in Europe have been referred to in this study as a marker for potential future outbreaks of AHS and Equine Encephalosis.
Need for Updated Regulations and Contingency Plans
- The results indicate a dire need to update current regulations and contingency plans for AHS based on the threat of its occurrence and the lessons learned from previous similar outbreaks.
- Where the diseases haven’t occurred yet, such as in Switzerland, the study suggests the implementation of preventive measures to curtail possible emergence and potential outbreaks.
- All stakeholders, including regulators, horse owners, and veterinary professionals need to be on high alert and should understand and address the associated risks.
Cite This Article
APA
Zimmerli U, Herholz C, Schwermer H, Hofmann M, Griot C.
(2010).
[African horse sickness and equine encephalosis: must Switzerland get prepared].
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 152(4), 165-175.
https://doi.org/10.1024/0036-7281/a000039 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Bundesamt für Veterinärwesen (BVET), Schwarzenburgstrasse 155, CH-3097 Bern-Liebefeld. urs.zimmerli@bvet.admin.ch
MeSH Terms
- Africa / epidemiology
- African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
- African Horse Sickness / prevention & control
- African Horse Sickness / transmission
- Animals
- Asia / epidemiology
- Bluetongue / epidemiology
- Bluetongue / prevention & control
- Bluetongue / transmission
- Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / epidemiology
- Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / prevention & control
- Encephalomyelitis, Eastern Equine / transmission
- Europe / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / transmission
- Horses
- Risk Factors
- Switzerland / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Piketh G, Viljoen A, Eberhardt C. Clinical signs, clinical pathology and outcomes in horses infected naturally with equine encephalosis virus. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):434-443.
- Tirosh-Levy S, Steinman A. Equine Encephalosis Virus. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jan 29;12(3).
- Kaufmann C, Steinmann IC, Hegglin D, Schaffner F, Mathis A. Spatio-temporal occurrence of Culicoides biting midges in the climatic regions of Switzerland, along with large scale species identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Parasit Vectors 2012 Oct 31;5:246.
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