Epidemiological survey of equine influenza in horses in India.

This research article presents the findings of a year-long study conducted to examine the prevalence of equine influenza, a significant respiratory disease in horses, in Gujarat State in India. The study, conducted from June 2008 through May 2009, found a 12.02% prevalence of equine influenza A/equi-2, while no cases of equine influenza A/equi-1 were found.

About the Study

• The study is a year-long investigation that took place from June 1, 2008, to 31 May 2009. It focused on measuring the prevalence of equine influenza, a highly contagious viral infection impacting horses, in Gujarat State, India.
• Equine influenza is a significant global issue, known as the most critical equine respiratory disease worldwide.

Results at a Glance

• Of the two types of equine influenza, the study discovered a 12.02% prevalence rate of equine influenza A/equi-2. Not a single case of equine influenza A/equi-1 was identified.
• The prevalence of equine influenza A/equi-2 varied among different horse breeds. The infection was most common in the Kathiyawari breed, with a rate of 15.38%, followed by a 11.94% incidence in non-descript breeds, a 10.18% rate with the Marwari breed, and 9.09% in the Indian Thoroughbred breed.
• The highest prevalence was observed in yearlings (horses between one and two years old), with a considerable rate of 17.48%. April was the month with the highest prevalence, with 28.89% of tested animals being found positive for the disease.
• The gender of the horses also influenced the prevalence rate: male horses were found to have a prevalence rate of 11.95%, while the rates for females and geldings were slightly lower, at 10.38% and 8.47% respectively.

Mortality & Case Fatality Rates

• The study also recorded the mortality rate and the case fatality rate among the examined horses. The mortality rate was determined to be 1.28%. This percentage reflects the number of deaths from equine influenza compared to the total number of horses involved in the study.
• The case fatality rate, which is the proportion of deaths among the confirmed cases of influenza, was slightly higher, at 10.64%. This means that about one in ten horses who contracted equine influenza A/equi-2 died due to the disease during the study period.