Epidemiology of equine upper respiratory tract disease on standardbred racetracks.
Abstract: The outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infections in horses at Standardbred racetracks were investigated over a three year period. The most serious epidemics of respiratory disease occurred in the winter and spring seasons. Both influenza viruses and equine herpesvirus 1 were shown to be present in the horse population. The herpesvirus was associated with respiratory disease particularly in the winter but the equine influenza viruses apparently were responsible for the major epidemics of respiratory disease at these tracks. Younger horses, two or three years of age, were particularly susceptible to upper respiratory disease and showed the greatest rate of seroconversion to influenza viruses. Major outbreaks of respiratory disease occurred when the proportion of young horses which had not previously been exposed to epidemics of respiratory disease reached 30 to 40% of the population at the track. Most horses over four years of age appeared to develop resistance to the infections.
Publication Date: 1979-01-01 PubMed ID: 218705PubMed Central: PMC1319930
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates the outbreaks of upper respiratory tract diseases in horses, specifically in Standardbred racetracks, over a period of three years. The study found that influenza viruses and equine herpesvirus 1 were the main causes of these outbreaks, with younger horses showing the most susceptibility to the diseases.
Investigation into Disease Outbreaks
- The researchers conducted a comprehensive study over a period of three years to investigate the cause of upper respiratory tract infections in horses.
- The research was focused on Standardbred racetracks, which are commonly involved in outbreaks of infectious diseases due to their congregation of large populations of horses.
- The researchers found that the most severe outbreaks of respiratory diseases occurred during the winter and spring seasons.
Role of Influenza and Herpesviruses
- The study identified that both influenza viruses and equine herpesvirus 1 were present and active within the horse population.
- Theequine herpesvirus was found to be associated particularly with respiratory diseases in the winter, while the equine influenza viruses seemed to be primarily responsible for major epidemics.
Susceptibility in Younger Horses
- The research demonstrated that younger horses, particularly those aged two to three years, were more susceptible to upper respiratory diseases.
- These horses also showed the highest rates of seroconversion to influenza viruses, indicating they were becoming infected and developing antibodies.
Relation to Population Demographics
- According to the findings, significant outbreaks of respiratory diseases took place when the proportion of young horses, which had not previously been exposed to such diseases, reached 30-40% of the total population at the track.
- The study also found that most horses older than four years seemed to develop a resistance to these infections, indicating age- or exposure-related immunity development over time.
Cite This Article
APA
Sherman J, Mitchell WR, Martin SW, Thorsen J, Ingram DG.
(1979).
Epidemiology of equine upper respiratory tract disease on standardbred racetracks.
Can J Comp Med, 43(1), 1-9.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / isolation & purification
- Equartevirus / immunology
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid / immunology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses / microbiology
- Ontario
- Respiratory Tract Infections / epidemiology
- Respiratory Tract Infections / veterinary
- Seasons
References
This article includes 3 references
- Greenwood T. Health buildings--fire precautions.. Hosp Eng 1980 Apr;34(3):14-5.
- Sherman J, Thorsen J, Barnum DA, Mitchell WR, Ingram DG. Infectious causes of equine respiratory disease on Ontario standardbred racetracks.. J Clin Microbiol 1977 Mar;5(3):285-9.
- Sherman J, Mitchell WR, Martin SW, Thorsen J, Ingram DG. Control of equine respiratory disease on Ontario Standardbred racetracks.. Can Vet J 1977 Jun;18(6):154-8.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Van Cleemput J, Poelaert KCK, Laval K, Impens F, Van den Broeck W, Gevaert K, Nauwynck HJ. Pollens destroy respiratory epithelial cell anchors and drive alphaherpesvirus infection.. Sci Rep 2019 Mar 18;9(1):4787.
- . Commentary.. Can Vet J 1987 Jun;28(6):306-9.
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