Equine disease surveillance: quarterly summary.

The research article is a summary of the quarterly equine disease surveillance report for July to September 2012, detailing diseases like equine infectious anemia in Europe and equine herpesvirus in the UK. This report was prepared by Defra, the Animal Health Trust, and the British Equine Veterinary Association.

Equine Infectious Anaemia in Europe

• The report discusses the incidence and spread of Equine Infectious Anemia, a viral disease affecting horses, in Europe during the surveillance period. It is vital to monitor this disease due to its severe implications on horse health and its potential for rapid spread.

Equine Herpesvirus in the UK

• The study also reports on the outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus in the UK. This disease is a significant concern in the equine community due to its detrimental effects on horses, including respiratory disease, neurological disease, and abortion in pregnant mares.
• The inclusion of this disease in the report suggests it’s a priority for surveillance, indicating a serious issue that requires consistent monitoring and management.

Summary of Surveillance Testing

• The surveillance testing carried out from July to September 2012 is summarized in this report. The summary would include results, trends, and significant findings from the testing period. The tests are performed to detect various equine diseases and monitor their spread and prevalence over time.
• This systematic testing is essential for controlling and preventing equine diseases, maintaining horse health, and minimizing economic losses in the equine industry.

Contributors to the Report

• The report was prepared by three key UK institutions: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Animal Health Trust, and the British Equine Veterinary Association. Their collaboration suggests a joint effort in combating equine disease and ensuring the health and well-being of horses across the UK and Europe.