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Home / Equine Research Bank / Aust Vet J / Case series report: Equine coronavirus in Australia.
Australian veterinary journal2024; 103(1-2); 56-62; doi: 10.1111/avj.13392

Case series report: Equine coronavirus in Australia.

Abstract: Equine Coronavirus (ECoV) can cause gastrointestinal disease and was first described in 2000 in the USA followed by several international outbreak case reports. Disease manifestation is characterised by vague clinical signs, including mild pyrexia, lethargy and anorexia. Morbidity ranges greatly from 10% to 83%. Although uncommon, ECoV may result in death secondary to disruption to the gastrointestinal barrier causing endotoxaemia and hyperammonaemic encephalopathy. Unfortunately to date, there is no vaccine available to prevent ECoV. Methods: Three faecal quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-positive ECoV cases are described that presented with mild to severe colic signs: a 2-year-old Miniature Pony gelding from South Australia, an 8-year-old Arabian Riding Pony gelding, and a 6-year-old Warmblood mare, both from Western Australia. The diagnosis was based on a positive faecal qPCR, which is currently the gold standard diagnostic tool. All horses in this case series survived after medical management. The Miniature Pony presented with anorexia and mild colic signs. On day 5, the pony revealed severe colic signs unresponsive to analgesia along with severe abdominal distension secondary to caecal distension requiring surgical intervention. Conclusions: To the authors' knowledge, this case series is the first published report of ECoV cases in Australia, and it adds both to the clinical description of the disease in horses and to the differential diagnosis list of colic signs.
© 2024 Australian Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2024-12-03 PubMed ID: 39628064DOI: 10.1111/avj.13392Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Overview

  • This study reports the first known cases of Equine Coronavirus (ECoV) infection in horses in Australia.
  • It describes how ECoV causes gastrointestinal symptoms ranging from mild signs to severe colic, and discusses diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Background on Equine Coronavirus (ECoV)

  • ECoV is a viral infection in horses that primarily affects the gastrointestinal system.
  • First identified in the USA in 2000, with subsequent outbreaks documented globally.
  • The disease typically presents with nonspecific clinical signs such as:
    • Mild fever (pyrexia)
    • Lethargy
    • Anorexia (loss of appetite)
  • Morbidity rates vary widely, with 10% to 83% of exposed horses showing clinical illness.
  • Though uncommon, ECoV can lead to fatal outcomes due to:
    • Disruption of the gut barrier
    • Endotoxemia (toxins entering the bloodstream)
    • Hyperammonaemic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction related to elevated ammonia levels)
  • Currently, no vaccine exists to prevent ECoV infection in horses.

Objectives and Methods

  • The authors aim to detail a series of ECoV cases identified in Australia, expanding knowledge on geographic occurrence and clinical signs.
  • Three horses testing positive for ECoV via faecal quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were included:
    • A 2-year-old Miniature Pony gelding from South Australia
    • An 8-year-old Arabian Riding Pony gelding from Western Australia
    • A 6-year-old Warmblood mare from Western Australia
  • Faecal qPCR is considered the gold standard for diagnosing ECoV infection.
  • Cases varied in clinical severity ranging from mild to severe colic signs.

Case Findings

  • All horses survived following medical management tailored to their clinical presentation.
  • The Miniature Pony initially showed mild symptoms of anorexia and colic:
    • By day 5, the pony developed severe colic symptoms that did not respond to pain relief medications.
    • The pony exhibited severe abdominal distension caused by caecal distension (enlargement of a section of the large intestine).
    • This necessitated surgical intervention to resolve the caecal distension.

Conclusions and Significance

  • This case series represents the first official documentation of ECoV infections in horses in Australia.
  • The findings contribute to the understanding of ECoV’s clinical spectrum in horses and emphasize that ECoV should be considered in differential diagnoses for horses presenting with colic signs.
  • Successful management without fatalities supports the potential for positive outcomes with timely identification and appropriate care.
  • Raises awareness that ECoV, previously recognized mostly overseas, is also a relevant pathogen in Australian equine populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Horner S, Agne GF, Byrne DP, Bain ME, Lynch BM, Gow WR, Verdegaal EL. (2024). Case series report: Equine coronavirus in Australia. Aust Vet J, 103(1-2), 56-62. https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.13392

Publication

Australian veterinary journal
ISSN: 1751-0813
NlmUniqueID: 0370616
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 103
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 56-62

Researcher Affiliations

Horner, S
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
Agne, G F
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
Byrne, D P
  • School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.
Bain, M E
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
Lynch, B M
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
Gow, W R
  • Veterinary Clinical Pathology, IDEXX Laboratories Pty. Ltd., Stirling, Western Australia, Australia.
Verdegaal, E-Ljmm
  • School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Coronavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Coronavirus Infections / virology
  • Male
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Feces / virology
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Colic / virology

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia.. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
    doi: 10.1111/avj.70003pubmed: 40903020google scholar: lookup
  2. Fukumoto N, Bannai H, Kawanishi N, Shibata M, Kishi D, Kambayashi Y, Tsujimura K, Nemoto M. The first outbreak of equine coronavirus infection in 13 years among draft horses at Obihiro Racecourse in Japan in 2025.. J Vet Med Sci 2025 Oct 1;87(10):1158-1163.
    doi: 10.1292/jvms.25-0271pubmed: 40754417google scholar: lookup
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