Control and eradication of African horse sickness with vaccine.
Abstract: African horse sickness (AHS) is an infectious but no-contagious viral disease of equidae with high mortality in horses. The disease is caused by an arthropod-borne double-stranded RNA virus within the genus Orbivirus of the family Reoviridae transmitted by at least two species of Culicoides. Nine different serotypes have been described. The nine serotypes of AHS have been described in eastern and southern Africa. Only AHS serotypes 9 and 4 have been found in West Africa from where they occasionally spread into countries surrounding the Mediterranean. Examples of outbreaks that have occurred outside Africa are: in the Middle East (1959-1963), in Spain (serotype 9, 1966, serotype 4, 1987-1990), and in Portugal (serotype 4, 1989) and Morocco (serotype 4, 1989-1991). Laboratory diagnosis of AHS is essential. Although the clinical signs and lesions are characteristic, they can be confused with those of other diseases. Several techniques have been adapted for the detection of RNA segments, antibodies and antigen. Two types of vaccines have been described for AHS virus. Attenuated live vaccines (monovalent and polyvalent) for use in horses, mules and donkeys, are currently available, as well as a monovalent, serotype 4, inactivated vaccine, produced commercially but no longer available. New vaccines, including a subunit vaccine, have been evaluated experimentally. In this paper a review of the last AHS outbreaks in Spain, occurring during 1987-1990, and affecting the central and south part of the country, is presented. The role that vaccination played for the control and eradication of the disease, as well as other aspects such as climatological conditions, number of vectors and horse management, are also presented and evaluated.
Publication Date: 2005-03-04 PubMed ID: 15742636
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The study reviews strategies to control African Horse Sickness (AHS), a viral disease with high mortality in horses, focusing on vaccination programs and how they helped control and eradicate AHS during outbreaks in Spain from 1987-1990.
Understanding African Horse Sickness (AHS)
- AHS is a highly fatal viral disease that affects horses and other equidae, transmitted by at least two species of Culicoides, tiny biting midges.
- While the disease is native to Africa, it has also been found in West Africa and occasionally spreads into countries surrounding the Mediterranean such as the Middle East, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco.
- The AHS virus has nine different serotypes, with serotypes 9 and 4 mainly found in West Africa. Serotype 4 was responsible for major outbreaks in Spain (1987-1990), Portugal (1989), and Morocco (1989-1991).
- Without proper laboratory diagnosis, AHS can be mistaken for other diseases due to similar clinical signs and lesions. Techniques have been established to detect RNA segments, antibodies, and antigens of the virus.
Vaccination for AHS
- Two types of vaccines, attenuated live vaccines (both monovalent and polyvalent) and a monovalent inactivated vaccine (serotype 4) have been developed for AHS.
- The live vaccines are available for use in horses, mules, and donkeys, while the inactivated vaccine is commercially produced but no longer available.
- New types of vaccines, including subunit vaccines, are being tested experimentally to provide more effective protection against AHS.
Vaccination’s Role in Controlling and Eradicating AHS
- The study examines last major outbreaks in central and southern Spain between 1987-1990, highlighting strategies and their effectiveness to control and eventually eradicate the disease.
- The researchers believe that vaccination played a crucial role in this eradication, by providing immunity to the horses against the AHS virus.
- However, other factors such as climatological conditions, number of vectors, and horse management practices also played significant roles in controlling the spread of AHS.
- All these aspects are closely examined to draw insights from past outbreaks and apply them to future measures towards controlling and eradicating AHS.
Cite This Article
APA
Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM.
(2005).
Control and eradication of African horse sickness with vaccine.
Dev Biol (Basel), 119, 255-258.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. jmvizcaino@vet.ucm.es
MeSH Terms
- African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
- African Horse Sickness / prevention & control
- African Horse Sickness Virus / immunology
- Animals
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Equidae / virology
- Horses
- Insect Control
- Insect Vectors / virology
- Spain / epidemiology
- Viral Vaccines / administration & dosage
References
This article includes 12 references
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