Analyze Diet
Equine veterinary journal2015; 48(5); 641-653; doi: 10.1111/evj.12523

Equine disease events resulting from international horse movements: Systematic review and lessons learned.

Abstract: An analysis of the factors leading to equine disease events was used to support the development of international recommendations for mitigating the risk of disease dissemination through sport horse movements (high health, high performance - 'HHP' horses). Objective: A review was undertaken to identify the factors resulting in equine disease events following international movement of horses to draw lessons in support of the development of international recommendations for the safe movements of a specific subpopulation of horses: the HHP sport horses. Methods: Systematic review carried out in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Methods: The review covered disease events that occurred from 1995 to 2014, identified from the databases of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and international surveillance reports. Results: Overall, 54 disease events were identified, of which 7 were contained in post arrival quarantine and the others resulted in the introduction of pathogens into importing countries. For 81% of the introductions, the OIE recommendations applicable to the diseases involved had not been complied with. Subclinical infections are a challenge for international trade: 88% of the regulated movements that resulted in introductions involved infected horses that showed no clinical signs at the time of import. Biosecurity and management practices in resident equine populations were identified as important mitigating factors in preventing disease spread to the local horse population. Conclusions: The global increase in international horse movements, if not appropriately regulated and supervised by competent veterinary authorities and respective equine industry partners, could potentially lead to increased global spread of infectious equine diseases. Appropriate mitigation measures and compliance with OIE import recommendations for specific diseases can significantly reduce this risk. The recommendations proposed under the HHP approach take into account the mitigation measures identified by this review as important factors in preventing pathogen introduction and spread.
Publication Date: 2015-12-23 PubMed ID: 26509734DOI: 10.1111/evj.12523Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Journal Article
  • Systematic Review

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study undertakes a systematic review to examine the spread of infectious diseases in horses due to international horse movements, particularly movement of sport horses. The paper sheds light on necessary mitigation measures needed to avoid this risk and presents recommendations under the High Health High Performance (HHP) approach.

Objective

The primary purpose of this study was to identify potential factors resulting in equine disease events related to international horse movement. More specifically, the researchers aimed to generate learnings that could aid the creation of international guidelines for the safe movement of HHP sport horses.

Methods

The researchers employed a systematic review method adhering to the PRISMA statement. The study covered disease events from 1995 to 2014 and collected data from databases of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and international surveillance reports.

Results

  • The study identified 54 disease events, with seven cases successfully contained in post-arrival quarantine. The majority of the cases resulted in the introduction of pathogens into importing countries.
  • In 81% of the cases involving disease introductions, the involved parties had not complied with the OIE recommendations related to those diseases.
  • Subclinical infections (infections with no apparent signs at the time of import) posed a significant challenge to international trade, contributing to 88% of the regulated movements that led to introductions of diseases.
  • Biosecurity and management practices in resident equine populations were found to be crucial in preventing the spread of diseases to local horse populations.

Conclusions

The study concluded that the global increase in international horse movements could potentially increase the spread of infectious equine diseases if not properly regulated and supervised. Implementing appropriate mitigation measures and adhering to OIE import recommendations for specific diseases can significantly reduce this risk. The recommendations proposed under the HHP approach incorporate the mitigation measures identified by this review as essential for preventing pathogen introduction and spread.

Cite This Article

APA
Dominguez M, Münstermann S, de Guindos I, Timoney P. (2015). Equine disease events resulting from international horse movements: Systematic review and lessons learned. Equine Vet J, 48(5), 641-653. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12523

Publication

ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 48
Issue: 5
Pages: 641-653

Researcher Affiliations

Dominguez, M
  • World Organisation for Animal Health OIE, Paris, France.
Münstermann, S
  • World Organisation for Animal Health OIE, Paris, France.
de Guindos, I
  • Veterinary Faculty, University of Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
Timoney, P
  • Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Commerce
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / transmission
  • Horses
  • Internationality
  • Quarantine
  • Transportation

Citations

This article has been cited 30 times.
  1. Raftery AG, Gummery L, Garcia K, Mohite D, Capewell P, Sutton DGM. Equine trypanosomiasis, a systematic review and meta-analyses: Prevalence, morbidity and mortality. Equine Vet J 2026 Mar;58(2):291-319.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.70101pubmed: 41131780google scholar: lookup
  2. Gonzalez-Obando J, Jaimes-Dueñez J, Zuluaga-Cabrera A, Forero JE, Diaz A, Rojas-Arbeláez C, Ruiz-Saenz J. Seroprevalence of Equine Influenza Virus Antibodies in Horses from Four Localities in Colombia. Viruses 2025 Jul 16;17(7).
    doi: 10.3390/v17070999pubmed: 40733615google scholar: lookup
  3. Branda F, Yon DK, Albanese M, Binetti E, Giovanetti M, Ciccozzi A, Ciccozzi M, Scarpa F, Ceccarelli G. Equine Influenza: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, and Strategies for Prevention and Control. Viruses 2025 Feb 21;17(3).
    doi: 10.3390/v17030302pubmed: 40143233google scholar: lookup
  4. Zhou K, Dong Z, Zhou X, Zhai B, Li B, Zhang J, Cheng F. The Prevalence of Gastric Ulcer Syndrome in 395 Horses in Jiangyin City, China, Jiangsu Province. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 17;14(24).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14243636pubmed: 39765539google scholar: lookup
  5. Zehr JD, Kosakovsky Pond SL, Shank SD, McQueary H, Grenier JK, Whittaker GR, Stanhope MJ, Goodman LB. Positive selection, genetic recombination, and intra-host evolution in novel equine coronavirus genomes and other members of the Embecovirus subgenus. Microbiol Spectr 2024 Nov 5;12(11):e0086724.
    doi: 10.1128/spectrum.00867-24pubmed: 39373506google scholar: lookup
  6. Eskola K, Aimo-Koivisto E, Heikinheimo A, Mykkänen A, Hautajärvi T, Grönthal T. Prevalence, risk factors, and characterisation of extended-spectrum β-lactamase -producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) in horses entering an equine hospital and description of longitudinal excretion. BMC Vet Res 2024 Sep 13;20(1):412.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04260-zpubmed: 39272173google scholar: lookup
  7. Ding J, Wang Y, Liang J, He Z, Zhai C, He Y, Xu J, Lei L, Mu J, Zheng M, Liu B, Shi M. Spatiotemporal pattern and suitable areas analysis of equine influenza in global scale (2005-2022). Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1395327.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1395327pubmed: 38887536google scholar: lookup
  8. Kleij L, Bruder E, Raoux-Barbot D, Lejal N, Nevers Q, Deloizy C, Da Costa B, Legrand L, Barrey E, Chenal A, Pronost S, Delmas B, Dhorne-Pollet S. Genomic characterization of equine influenza A subtype H3N8 viruses by long read sequencing and functional analyses of the PB1-F2 virulence factor of A/equine/Paris/1/2018. Vet Res 2024 Mar 22;55(1):36.
    doi: 10.1186/s13567-024-01289-8pubmed: 38520035google scholar: lookup
  9. Pusterla N, Lawton K, Barnum S. Investigation of the seroprevalence to equine coronavirus and SARS-CoV-2 in healthy adult horses recently imported to the United States. Vet Q 2024 Dec;44(1):1-6.
    doi: 10.1080/01652176.2023.2288876pubmed: 38010292google scholar: lookup
  10. Sandybayev N, Strochkov V, Beloussov V, Orkara S, Kydyrmanov A, Khan Y, Batanova Z, Kassenov M. Evaluation of a novel real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for identifying H3 equine influenza virus in Kazakhstan. Vet World 2023 Aug;16(8):1682-1689.
  11. Athanasiou LV, Katsogiannou EG, Tyrnenopoulou P, Gougoulis D, Apostolidis KN, Papadakis SM, Kokkinaki KCG, Papatsiros VG, Tsokana CN. Evidence of Horse Exposure to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, and Leishmania infantum in Greece through the Detection of IgG Antibodies in Serum and in an Alternative Diagnostic Sample-The Saliva. Biomolecules 2023 Sep 11;13(9).
    doi: 10.3390/biom13091374pubmed: 37759774google scholar: lookup
  12. Knox A, Zerna G, Beddoe T. Current and Future Advances in the Detection and Surveillance of Biosecurity-Relevant Equine Bacterial Diseases Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 18;13(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13162663pubmed: 37627456google scholar: lookup
  13. Keener MM, Tumlin KI. The Triple-E Model: Advancing Equestrian Research with Perspectives from One Health. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 16;13(16).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13162642pubmed: 37627432google scholar: lookup
  14. Frisch V, Fuehrer HP, Cavalleri JV. Relevant Brachycera (Excluding Oestroidea) for Horses in Veterinary Medicine: A Systematic Review. Pathogens 2023 Apr 6;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens12040568pubmed: 37111454google scholar: lookup
  15. Gonzalez-Obando J, Forero JE, Zuluaga-Cabrera AM, Ruiz-Saenz J. Equine Influenza Virus: An Old Known Enemy in the Americas. Vaccines (Basel) 2022 Oct 14;10(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vaccines10101718pubmed: 36298583google scholar: lookup
  16. Whitlock F, Murcia PR, Newton JR. A Review on Equine Influenza from a Human Influenza Perspective. Viruses 2022 Jun 15;14(6).
    doi: 10.3390/v14061312pubmed: 35746783google scholar: lookup
  17. Coultous RM, Sutton DGM, Boden LA. A risk assessment of equine piroplasmosis entry, exposure and consequences in the UK. Equine Vet J 2023 Mar;55(2):282-294.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.13579pubmed: 35478189google scholar: lookup
  18. Oladunni FS, Oseni SO, Martinez-Sobrido L, Chambers TM. Equine Influenza Virus and Vaccines. Viruses 2021 Aug 20;13(8).
    doi: 10.3390/v13081657pubmed: 34452521google scholar: lookup
  19. Olguin-Perglione C, Barrandeguy ME. An Overview of Equine Influenza in South America. Viruses 2021 May 12;13(5).
    doi: 10.3390/v13050888pubmed: 34065839google scholar: lookup
  20. Özçelik R, Graubner C, Remy-Wohlfender F, Dürr S, Faverjon C. Evaluating 5.5 Years of Equinella: A Veterinary-Based Voluntary Infectious Disease Surveillance System of Equines in Switzerland. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:327.
    doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00327pubmed: 32695799google scholar: lookup
  21. Cullinane A, Gahan J, Walsh C, Nemoto M, Entenfellner J, Olguin-Perglione C, Garvey M, Huang Fu TQ, Venner M, Yamanaka T, Barrandeguy M, Fernandez CJ. Evaluation of Current Equine Influenza Vaccination Protocols Prior to Shipment, Guided by OIE Standards. Vaccines (Basel) 2020 Feb 29;8(1).
    doi: 10.3390/vaccines8010107pubmed: 32121419google scholar: lookup
  22. Sack A, Oladunni FS, Gonchigoo B, Chambers TM, Gray GC. Zoonotic Diseases from Horses: A Systematic Review. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2020 Jul;20(7):484-495.
    doi: 10.1089/vbz.2019.2541pubmed: 32077811google scholar: lookup
  23. Yazdansetad S, Mosavari N, Tadayon K, Mehregan I. Development of an immunoblotting assay for serodiagnosis of Burkholderia mallei infection: the whole-cell proteome-based paradigm. Iran J Microbiol 2019 Jun;11(3):232-238.
    pubmed: 31523407
  24. Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL. Descriptive analysis of horse movement networks during the 2015 equestrian season in Ontario, Canada. PLoS One 2019;14(7):e0219771.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219771pubmed: 31295312google scholar: lookup
  25. Büscher P, Gonzatti MI, Hébert L, Inoue N, Pascucci I, Schnaufer A, Suganuma K, Touratier L, Van Reet N. Equine trypanosomosis: enigmas and diagnostic challenges. Parasit Vectors 2019 May 15;12(1):234.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3484-xpubmed: 31092285google scholar: lookup
  26. Gahan J, Garvey M, Asmah Abd Samad R, Cullinane A. Whole Genome Sequencing of the First H3N8 Equine Influenza Virus Identified in Malaysia. Pathogens 2019 May 10;8(2).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens8020062pubmed: 31083430google scholar: lookup
  27. Kinoshita Y, Cloutier AK, Rozak DA, Khan MSR, Niwa H, Uchida-Fujii E, Katayama Y, Tuanyok A. A novel selective medium for the isolation of Burkholderia mallei from equine specimens. BMC Vet Res 2019 May 7;15(1):133.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-1874-0pubmed: 31064357google scholar: lookup
  28. Mena J, Brito B, Moreira R, Tadich T, González I, Cruces J, Ortega R, van Bakel H, Rathnasinghe R, Pizarro-Lucero J, Medina R, Neira V. Reemergence of H3N8 Equine Influenza A virus in Chile, 2018. Transbound Emerg Dis 2018 Dec;65(6):1408-1415.
    doi: 10.1111/tbed.12984pubmed: 30054993google scholar: lookup
  29. Spence KL, O'Sullivan TL, Poljak Z, Greer AL. A longitudinal study describing horse demographics and movements during a competition season in Ontario, Canada. Can Vet J 2018 Jul;59(7):783-790.
    pubmed: 30026628
  30. Fowler VL, Howson ELA, Flannery J, Romito M, Lubisi A, Agüero M, Mertens P, Batten CA, Warren HR, Castillo-Olivares J. Development of a Novel Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for the Rapid Detection of African Horse Sickness Virus. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017 Oct;64(5):1579-1588.
    doi: 10.1111/tbed.12549pubmed: 27484889google scholar: lookup