Epidemiology of African horse sickness and the role of the zebra in South Africa.
Abstract: Zebra are the only equine species native to South Africa. These animals roamed over much of the country in the 17th century when horses and donkeys were first imported. The first cases of African horse sickness (AHS) then occurred in the horses of hunters who entered zebra territory. AHS continued to occur on a country-wide basis until the beginning of the 20th century, though the number of outbreaks decreased as the populations of zebra collapsed through overhunting. For most of the 20th century almost all free-living zebra have been confined to the north-eastern parts of South Africa which are now the only areas in the country where AHS is endemic; though when climatic conditions are favourable, temporarily, it spreads beyond these areas. The minimum size of a zebra population necessary to maintain a focus of AHS virus is unknown but the small, isolated populations that have inhabited the majority of South Africa for most of the 20th century are apparently insufficient to maintain the virus in the long term. In this context, the restocking of many parts of the country with zebra should be viewed with caution since conditions may be generated that will facilitate the re-establishment of permanent foci of AHS virus.
Publication Date: 1998-10-24 PubMed ID: 9785491DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7091-6823-3_2Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper explores the history and spread of African horse sickness (AHS) in South Africa, specifically highlighting the role of the zebra population in contributing to the disease’s prevalence and progression.
Understanding African Horse Sickness and its Connection to Zebras
- The study investigates the epidemiology of African Horse Sickness (AHS), a disease that predominantly affects horses but has been linked with the presence of zebras – the only equine species endemic to South Africa.
- This research highlights the historical correlation between AHS and the zebra population, suggesting that the disease first emerged among horses that entered territories inhabited by zebras. The paper implies that zebras may have been a natural reservoir for the virus.
Disease Prevalence and Zebra Population
- Implications are made of a connection between a decrease in AHS incidents and the decline in zebra numbers due to overhunting in the 20th century. Today, almost all free-living zebras are located in South Africa’s north-eastern parts, the only areas left where AHS is still deemed endemic.
- The research also suggests that climate conditions may facilitate temporary spread of the disease beyond these territories.
- However, the study raises the possibility that small, isolated zebra populations may not be able to perpetuate the AHS virus in the long run. The necessary zebra population size to act as a vector for the AHS virus remains unclear.
Concerns about Zebra Restocking
- The research concludes with a cautionary tone by proposing that restocking different parts of South Africa with zebras should be considered cautiously, as it might propagate conditions that could result in permanent re-establishment of AHS viruses.
Cite This Article
APA
Barnard BJ.
(1998).
Epidemiology of African horse sickness and the role of the zebra in South Africa.
Arch Virol Suppl, 14, 13-19.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-6823-3_2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa.
MeSH Terms
- African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
- African Horse Sickness / prevention & control
- African Horse Sickness Virus / immunology
- Animals
- Disease Reservoirs
- Equidae
- South Africa / epidemiology
- Viral Vaccines
References
This article includes 23 references
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Ma X, Zhang M, Zhang X, Qi T, Zhang W, Zhao Y, Na L, Zhang Y, Wang XF, Wang X. Construction and Immunogenicity Evaluation of a Recombinant Fowlpox Virus Expressing VP2 Gene of African Horse Sickness Virus Serotype 1. Microorganisms 2025 Dec 9;13(12).
- Huang C, Wang J, Ruan Z, Wu J, Lin Y, Cao C, Yang J, Weng Q, Jin Y, Chen P, Hua Q. Real-Time Reverse Transcription Multienzyme Isothermal Rapid Amplification for Rapid Detection of African Horse Sickness Virus. Transbound Emerg Dis 2025;2025:1852368.
- Ma X, Zhang Y, Na L, Qi T, Ma W, Guo X, Wang XF, Wang X. Identification and Characterization of Linear Epitopes of Monoclonal Antibodies Against African Horse Sickness Virus Serotype 1 VP2 Protein. Viruses 2024 Nov 15;16(11).
- Pitchers KG, Boakye OD, Campeotto I, Daly JM. The Potential of Plant-Produced Virus-like Particle Vaccines for African Horse Sickness and Other Equine Orbiviruses. Pathogens 2024 May 28;13(6).
- Gao S, Zeng Z, Wang H, Chen F, Huang L, Wang X. Predicting the possibility of African horse sickness (AHS) introduction into China using spatial risk analysis and habitat connectivity of Culicoides. Sci Rep 2022 Mar 10;12(1):3910.
- Fairbanks EL, Brennan ML, Mertens PPC, Tildesley MJ, Daly JM. Re-parameterization of a mathematical model of African horse sickness virus using data from a systematic literature search. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022 Jul;69(4):e671-e681.
- Porphyre T, Grewar JD. Assessing the potential of plains zebra to maintain African horse sickness in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. PLoS One 2019;14(10):e0222366.
- Dennis SJ, Meyers AE, Hitzeroth II, Rybicki EP. African Horse Sickness: A Review of Current Understanding and Vaccine Development. Viruses 2019 Sep 11;11(9).
- Thompson GM, Jess S, Murchie AK. A review of African horse sickness and its implications for Ireland. Ir Vet J 2012 Jul 5;65(1):9.
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