Descriptive overview of the 2011 epidemic of arboviral disease in horses in Australia.
Abstract: To provide an overview and descriptive analysis of the 2011 arboviral disease epidemic in horses that involved three important Australian mosquito-borne viruses: Murray Valley encephalitis virus, West Nile virus (Kunjin strain) and Ross River virus. Methods: Data from states affected between January and June 2011 were collated and comprised reports of horses showing signs of neuromuscular disease and the associated laboratory findings. A summary of the data is presented, together with a spatiotemporal analysis of cases and preliminary assessment of rainfall patterns and case distribution. Results: A total of 982 cases of equine arboviral disease were reported across Australia between January and June 2011. The majority of cases were reported from south-east Australia and included horses that developed neurological signs consistent with encephalitis. It was the largest epidemic of equine arboviral disease in Australia's history. Two likely causes for this unprecedented epidemic were the unusual weather events that preceded the epidemic and the emergence of a new strain of Kunjin virus. Conclusions: The epidemic highlights to horse owners and policy makers the potential for future outbreaks of arboviral diseases and the need for vigilance. It also highlights the complex interactions among hosts, vectors and climatic conditions that are required for such an outbreak to occur.
© 2012 The Authors. Australian Veterinary Journal © 2012 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2012-12-19 PubMed ID: 23356366DOI: 10.1111/avj.12018Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article provides a detailed analysis of the widespread arboviral disease epidemic in horses in Australia in 2011, caused by three significant mosquito-borne viruses.
Study Motivation and Method
- The research was motivated by a large-scale 2011 epidemic of arboviral diseases in horses in Australia. The main viruses involved were Murray Valley encephalitis virus, West Nile virus (Kunjin strain) and Ross River virus.
- To achieve this, data from various affected states collected from January to June 2011 were analyzed. This involved reports on horses showing signs of neuromuscular disease, as well as a series of lab findings.
- The data was then summarized, and a spatiotemporal analysis conducted. Preliminary assessments of rainfall patterns and case distribution were also done.
Study Findings
- In the half-year period from January to June 2011, Australia reported 982 cases of equine arboviral disease.
- The majority of these cases were found in south-east Australia. Most horses developed neurological symptoms that suggested encephalitis.
- This outbreak represented the largest known epidemic of equine arboviral disease in Australia’s entire history.
- Two major causes were identified: the unusual weather conditions that the period experienced and the emergence of a new strain of Kunjin virus.
Implications and Conclusions
- The scale and nature of the epidemic underscore the potential for similar arboviral disease outbreaks in the future. Both horse owners and policy makers are thus urged to remain vigilant.
- The study illustrates how complex interactions among hosts (horses), disease vectors (mosquitoes), and environmental factors (climate and weather) can lead to such unprecedented outbreaks. This understanding is critical for future disease prevention and control strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Roche SE, Wicks R, Garner MG, East IJ, Paskin R, Moloney BJ, Carr M, Kirkland P.
(2012).
Descriptive overview of the 2011 epidemic of arboviral disease in horses in Australia.
Aust Vet J, 91(1-2), 5-13.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12018 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Animal Health Policy Branch, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. sharon.roche@daff.gov.au
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Arbovirus Infections / diagnosis
- Arbovirus Infections / epidemiology
- Arbovirus Infections / veterinary
- Australia / epidemiology
- Culicidae / virology
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Insect Vectors / virology
- Male
- Public Health
- Tropical Climate
Citations
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