African horse sickness in Portugal: a successful eradication programme.
Abstract: African horse sickness (AHS) was diagnosed for the first time in southern Portugal in autumn 1989, following outbreaks in Spain. AHS virus presence was confirmed by virus isolation and serotyping. An eradication campaign with four sanitary zones was set up by Central Veterinary Services in close collaboration with private organizations. Vaccination began on 6 October. In February 1990, vaccination was extended to all Portuguese equines (170000 animals). There were 137 outbreaks on 104 farms: 206 of the equidae present died (16%) or were slaughtered (14%); 81.5% were horses, 10.7% were donkeys and 7.8% were mules. Clinical AHS occurred more frequently in horses than donkeys and mules. In the vaccinated population, 82 animals (62.2% horses and 37.8% mules and donkeys), died or were slaughtered due to suspected or confirmed AHS. One year after ending vaccination, December 1991, Portugal was declared free of AHS. Cost of eradication was US$1955513 (US$11.5/Portuguese equine).
Publication Date: 1999-12-01 PubMed ID: 10579455PubMed Central: PMC2810767DOI: 10.1017/s0950268899002897Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- African Horse Sickness
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infectious Disease
- Public Health
- Vaccine
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Virus
Summary
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The research article discusses how the Portuguese Veterinary Services successfully implemented an eradication program to control the outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS) which first appeared in the southern region of Portugal in 1989. This disease, which affected horses, donkeys and mules, was eradicated within a span of two years, at a cost of approximately US$11.5 per Portuguese equine.
Overview of the African Horse Sickness Outbreak
- AHS was first identified in southern Portugal in the autumn of 1989, following previous outbreaks in Spain.
- The presence of AHS virus was confirmed through virus isolation and serotyping.
- Overall, there were 137 outbreaks of AHS across 104 farms, leading to the death or slaughter of 206 animals—comprising 81.5% horses, 10.7% donkeys, and 7.8% mules.
- It was observed that AHS occurred more frequently in horses than in donkeys and mules.
The Eradication Campaign
- The Central Veterinary Services, in collaboration with private organizations, initiated an eradication campaign that included the establishment of four sanitary zones.
- Vaccination began on 6 October 1989, and by February 1990, it was extended to cover all Portuguese equines, approximately 170,000 animals.
- Among the vaccinated population, 82 animals—62.2% horses and 37.8% mules and donkeys—died or were slaughtered due to suspected or confirmed AHS.
Results of the Eradication Program
- One year after ending the vaccination program, Portugal was declared free of AHS in December 1991.
- The cost of the eradication program was US$1955513, which roughly translated to US$11.5 per Portuguese equine.
Conclusion
- The swift and comprehensive response from the Central Veterinary Services and the subsequent execution of the eradication plan contributed to the successful control over the AHS outbreak in Portugal.
- This indicates the significance of immediate action, comprehensive vaccination programs, and strong collaborative efforts in efficiently tackling animal disease outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Portas M, Boinas FS, Oliveira E Sousa J, Rawlings P.
(1999).
African horse sickness in Portugal: a successful eradication programme.
Epidemiol Infect, 123(2), 337-346.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268899002897 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Serviço Nacional Coudélico, Ministério da Agricultura, Lisboa, Portugal.
MeSH Terms
- African Horse Sickness / diagnosis
- African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
- African Horse Sickness / prevention & control
- African Horse Sickness Virus / isolation & purification
- Animals
- Communicable Disease Control
- Equidae
- Horses
- Portugal / epidemiology
- Sanitation
- Veterinary Medicine / methods
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Jones LM, Hawes PC, Salguero FJ, Castillo-Olivares J. Pathological features of African horse sickness virus infection in IFNAR(-/-) mice. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1114240.
- Fairbanks EL, Brennan ML, Mertens PPC, Tildesley MJ, Daly JM. Re-parameterization of a mathematical model of African horse sickness virus using data from a systematic literature search. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022 Jul;69(4):e671-e681.
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- Castillo-Olivares J. African horse sickness in Thailand: Challenges of controlling an outbreak by vaccination. Equine Vet J 2021 Jan;53(1):9-14.
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- Baker T, Carpenter S, Gubbins S, Newton R, Lo Iacono G, Wood J, Harrup LE. Can insecticide-treated netting provide protection for Equids from Culicoides biting midges in the United Kingdom?. Parasit Vectors 2015 Nov 25;8:604.
- Ribeiro R, Wilson AJ, Nunes T, Ramilo DW, Amador R, Madeira S, Baptista FM, Harrup LE, Lucientes J, Boinas F. Spatial and temporal distribution of Culicoides species in mainland Portugal (2005-2010). Results of the Portuguese Entomological Surveillance Programme. PLoS One 2015;10(4):e0124019.
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