African horse sickness outbreaks caused by multiple virus types in Ethiopia.

The research article is about an investigation into the outbreaks of African horse sickness in Ethiopia. The study reveals that multiple viral strains cause the disease and confirms the presence of previously unidentified strains in Ethiopia.

Background of the Study

• African horse sickness (AHS) is a serious equine disease that has high morbidity and mortality rates particularly among horses. The disease can manifest in four forms – pulmonary disease, cardiac disease, horse sickness fever and a combined form of these manifestations.
• The researchers conducted a retrospective study on the occurrence of AHS outbreaks in Ethiopia from 2007 to 2010. They examined a total of ten outbreaks.

Methods and Results

• The team observed all four forms of the disease with the cardiac disease being the most common.
• The research team applied molecular methods, specifically type-specific real-time RT-PCR assays, to detect multiple African horse sickness virus serotypes (AHSV). The serotypes identified include AHSV-2, AHSV-4, AHSV-6, AHSV-8 and AHSV-9.
• To confirm these findings, the researchers derived fourteen isolates from blood and tissue samples collected during 2009-2010. The isolation of these strains added to the evidence of the virus serotypes present in Ethiopia.

Significance of the Research

• The detection of multiple serotypes of the African horse sickness virus in Ethiopia is significant as it provides insight into the different strains that can cause outbreaks in the country. This information is crucial in guiding prevention and control measures for AHS in Ethiopia.
• It’s also noteworthy that this research marks the first report of the presence of AHSV-4, AHSV-6 and AHSV-8 in Ethiopia, indicating that AHS may be more diverse in the country than previously thought.