Epizootiology and vectors of African horse sickness virus.

The research explores African horse sickness (AHS), a major viral disease of horses that is primarily prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and transmitted mainly through vectors such as Culicoides species. The article suggests that recent outbreaks of AHS in areas like Iberia and North Africa signify a change in the virus’s persistence patterns, possibly due to the continuous presence of adult C. imicola, which thrive in warmer climates and may have found favourable conditions due to recent climate changes.

African Horse Sickness: An Overview

• The research discusses African Horse Sickness (AHS), an infectious disease affecting equine species. It is caused by a virus that is non-contagious but is transmitted by arthropods.
• AHS is native to sub-Saharan Africa, which implies that it’s naturally prevalent in these regions.

Vectors of AHS

• The study identifies Culicoides species as the primary vectors for AHS. Besides, the virus can also be transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks, hence indicating a multi-vector transmission.
• The study hints towards a lack of a long-term vertebrate reservoir, an important factor that has limited the virus’s ability to endure outside its native zones for more than 2-3 years in a row.

Shifts in AHS Persistence Patterns

• The researchers point out recent AHS outbreaks in Iberia and North Africa that seem to have deviated from the usual occurrence pattern of the virus. The virus appears to be persisting differently, most likely due to a consistent presence of adult Culicoides imicola in the area.
• Culicoides imicola is essentially an Afro-Asiatic insect that thrives in warm climates. Hence, its continual presence in parts of Iberia might be a result of recent climatic moderation in these regions.

Implications for Future Research

• The findings allude to potential changes in the ecology and spread of AHS due to changing climatic conditions, warranting further investigation.
• Understanding the shifts in AHS persistence patterns can help in devising improved strategies for controlling and preventing this infectious disease in horses, thus protecting equine health and the economies dependent on it.