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Veterinary sciences2025; 12(1); 56; doi: 10.3390/vetsci12010056

Equine Herpesvirus-1 Induced Respiratory Disease in Dezhou Donkey Foals: Case Study from China, 2024.

Abstract: Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a significant pathogen that causes substantial economic losses in the equine industry worldwide, which leads to severe respiratory diseases and abortions in horses. However, reports of EHV-1 infection in donkeys are limited, particularly in China. This case study reported an EHV-1-induced respiratory disease in Dezhou donkey foals in Shandong Province, China, in July 2024. Three one-month-old foals exhibited high fever, nasal discharge, and respiratory distress, with a 100% mortality rate. The causative agent, strain LC126, was isolated from a one-month-old donkey foal exhibiting severe respiratory disease. Phylogenetic analysis of the EHV-1 isolate LC126 showed close similarity to EHV-1. Overall, our study revealed that EHV-1 can cause respiratory distress as well as death in donkeys. The study underscores the emerging threat of EHV-1 in donkeys and highlights the need for veterinarians and breeders to give proper attention to the potential threat of EHV-1 outbreaks.
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Publication Date: 2025-01-14 PubMed ID: 39852931PubMed Central: PMC11769397DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12010056Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Research Overview

  • This study documents an outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) causing fatal respiratory disease in Dezhou donkey foals in China, highlighting the virus’s impact beyond horses to include donkeys.

Background

  • Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a well-known infectious agent primarily affecting horses, causing respiratory illness, abortions, and neurological diseases.
  • Economic losses due to EHV-1 in the equine industry are significant worldwide.
  • Reports of EHV-1 infection in donkeys are rare, especially in regions like China.

Case Description

  • In July 2024, in Shandong Province, China, three one-month-old Dezhou donkey foals developed severe respiratory symptoms including:
    • High fever
    • Nasal discharge
    • Respiratory distress
  • All three foals died, indicating a 100% mortality rate in this case cluster.

Methodology and Findings

  • The virus was isolated from one of the affected foals, named strain LC126.
  • Laboratory techniques confirmed that LC126 was an EHV-1 strain.
  • Phylogenetic analysis, which compares the genetic material of the virus with known strains, showed that LC126 is closely related to other EHV-1 isolates circulating globally.

Significance and Implications

  • This case is significant as it confirms that EHV-1 can infect donkey foals and cause severe respiratory illness leading to death, similar to its effects on horses.
  • The study highlights an emerging health threat for donkeys, a species often overlooked in discussions about equine diseases.
  • It emphasizes the need for increased vigilance by veterinarians and breeders to monitor, prevent, and control EHV-1 outbreaks in donkey populations.
  • Understanding that EHV-1 can impact donkeys stresses the importance of including donkeys in surveillance, vaccine development, and biosecurity measures to mitigate disease spread.

Conclusion

  • This research expands the known host range of EHV-1 to include Dezhou donkey foals in China.
  • The high mortality observed calls for urgent attention and further research into prevention and treatment strategies for EHV-1 in donkeys.

Cite This Article

APA
Ruan L, Li L, Yang R, You A, Khan MZ, Yu Y, Chen L, Li Y, Liu G, Wang C, Wang T. (2025). Equine Herpesvirus-1 Induced Respiratory Disease in Dezhou Donkey Foals: Case Study from China, 2024. Vet Sci, 12(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010056

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
PII: 56

Researcher Affiliations

Ruan, Lian
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Li, Liangliang
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Yang, Rongze
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China.
You, Anrong
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China.
Khan, Muhammad Zahoor
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Yu, Yue
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Chen, Li
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Li, Yubao
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Liu, Guiqin
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Wang, Changfa
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.
Wang, Tongtong
  • Liaocheng Research Institute of Donkey High-Efficiency Breeding and Ecological Feeding, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng 252000, China.

Grant Funding

  • SDAIT-27, SDAIT-27-18 / The Shandong Province Modern Agricultural Technology System Donkey Industrial Innovation Team

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Zhu Q, Khan MZ, Peng Y, Wang C. A Comparative Review of Donkey Genetic Resources, Production Traits, and Industrial Utilization: Perspectives from China and Globally.. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 21;15(23).
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  2. Ji Y, Xu D, Si W, Zhang Y, Khan MZ, Zhao X, Liu W. Characterization and Pathogenicity of Equine Herpesvirus Type 8 Using In-Vitro and In-Vivo Models.. Vet Sci 2025 Apr 15;12(4).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci12040367pubmed: 40284869google scholar: lookup
  3. Khan MZ, Li Y, Zhu M, Li M, Wang T, Zhang Z, Liu W, Ma Q, Wang C. Advances in Donkey Disease Surveillance and Microbiome Characterization in China.. Microorganisms 2025 Mar 26;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13040749pubmed: 40284586google scholar: lookup
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