Equine disease surveillance: quarterly summary.

The research article provides a quarterly report summary of equine diseases, detailing specific outbreaks in the UK and Europe, and how an equine herpesvirus type 1 outbreak was managed, from October to December 2010, prepared by Defra, the Animal Health Trust, and the British Equine Veterinary Association.

Equine Infectious Anaemia and Equine Viral Arteritis Clearance in the UK

• In this report, the UK’s efforts to clear equine infectious anaemia (EIA) and equine viral arteritis (EVA) are discussed. These diseases pose significant threats to horse health, and the article details the measures taken to control, reduce, and ultimately eliminate these diseases from the horse population in the UK.

West Nile Virus Outbreaks in Several European Countries

• The article also explores the unprecedented number of West Nile virus outbreaks in various European countries. West Nile virus, a mosquito-borne disease, is harmful to horses and these outbreaks raise significant concerns for equine health on the continent. The article examines patterns of infection, affected regions, and probable causes of the increase in cases.

Managing an Outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1

• The research article also delves into the management of an outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 1—a highly contagious virus that can cause respiratory disease, neonatal foal death, and neurological disease. Detailed here are the strategies employed to control the outbreak, how areas of infection were quarantined, and how the horse population was progressively treated.

Summary of Surveillance Testing, October to December 2010

• The final part of the report provides a summary of surveillance testing conducted from October to December 2010. The document discusses the number of tests carried out, the proportion of positive results, and any trends or patterns observed. This data is vital for understanding the spread of these diseases, planning future interventions, and assessing the effectiveness of current control measures.

Report Preparation

• This report was prepared through a collaboration between Defra, the Animal Health Trust, and the British Equine Veterinary Association— organisations with a vested interest in animal health and, more specifically, equine diseases. Their expertise and data collection capabilities contribute to a thorough, reliable analysis and presentation of important equine health information.