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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Microbiol / African horse sickness in Spain.
Veterinary microbiology1992; 33(1-4); 129-142; doi: 10.1016/0378-1135(92)90041-q

African horse sickness in Spain.

Abstract: The aetiology, pathogenesis and epizootiology of African horse sickness (AHS) are reviewed with special reference to recent outbreaks in the Iberian peninsula. AHS is a highly fatal insect-borne viral disease of Equidae. It is caused by an Orbivirus (family Reoviridae) and nine serotypes are recognised. Outbreaks occurred in central Spain in 1987 and in southern regions of the Iberian peninsula in 1988, 1989 and 1990. All were associated with serotype 4 of the virus, whereas other occurrences of AHS outside Africa have all been caused by serotype 9. The clinical picture in the outbreaks was mainly of the acute (pulmonary) form except in 1988 when the subacute (cardiac) form of disease predominated. Several hundred horses died or were destroyed as a result of the outbreaks. Further spread was contained by a combination of slaughter of sick animals, movement controls, and vaccination which was extended over an increasingly wide area in successive years. The 1987 outbreak is believed to be associated with infected zebras imported from Africa. Possible explanations for the recurrence of disease in Spain in successive years are considered to include (a) the climatic conditions in Southern Spain, which could permit continuous vector activity, (b) the relative clinical resistance of mules and donkeys, which may permit subclinical circulation of the virus, (c) incomplete population immunity among horses due to possible gaps in the vaccination strategy.
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Publication Date: 1992-11-01 PubMed ID: 1481352DOI: 10.1016/0378-1135(92)90041-qGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research analyzes the cause, progression, and spread of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in Spain, highlighting outbreaks from 1987 to 1990 that were linked to the fourth serotype of the virus. Unlike other instances of AHS outside Africa that primarily involve serotype 9, these outbreaks primarily showed acute symptoms and resulted in numerous horse deaths. Several factors, including climatic conditions and vaccination strategies, could contribute to the recurrence of the disease.

Background of AHS

  • African Horse Sickness (AHS) is an extremely lethal disease that targets equine animals like horses, donkeys, and zebras. This infectious disease is transmitted via insects and is caused by an orbivirus from the family Reoviridae.
  • The disease comes in nine distinct serotypes, with various outbreaks across the globe often associated with either type 4 or type 9. This research specifically examines the prevalence of serotype 4-related diseases in Spain.

AHS in Spain

  • Various outbreaks of AHS were reported across Spain between 1987 and 1990. These outbreaks differed from others reported outside of Africa, as they were tied to serotype 4 of the virus, rather than serotype 9.
  • These Spanish outbreaks yielded predominantly acute (pulmonary) rather than subacute (cardiac) symptoms, and resulted in hundreds of equines being killed or euthanized.

Preventive Measures and Associated Issues

  • To prevent further transmission of AHS, a combination of strategies was employed. Infected animals were sacrificed, strict movement controls were enforced, and vaccination programs were implemented across large territories.
  • The first outbreak in 1987 is believed to have been transmitted by zebras brought from Africa that were infected with AHS.

Potential Factors for Recurrence

  • Despite containment efforts, AHS still resurfaces in Spain. The paper discusses several possible explanations, including the climate in southern Spain, which may facilitate continuous vector activity.
  • Another possibility is the relatively higher resistance to disease symptomatics in donkeys and mules compared to horses, which could allow for the subclinical circulation of the virus.
  • Lastly, potential gaps or inefficiencies in vaccination strategies could lead to incomplete population immunity among horses, creating opportunities for the disease to recur.

Cite This Article

APA
Rodriguez M, Hooghuis H, Castaño M. (1992). African horse sickness in Spain. Vet Microbiol, 33(1-4), 129-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-1135(92)90041-q

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 0378-1135
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 1-4
Pages: 129-142

Researcher Affiliations

Rodriguez, M
  • Departamento de Patología Animal-II, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Hooghuis, H
    Castaño, M

      MeSH Terms

      • African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
      • African Horse Sickness / microbiology
      • African Horse Sickness / mortality
      • African Horse Sickness Virus / classification
      • African Horse Sickness Virus / isolation & purification
      • Animals
      • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
      • Horses
      • Incidence
      • Perissodactyla
      • Spain / epidemiology

      References

      This article includes 23 references

      Citations

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