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Home / Equine Research Bank / Viruses / Equine Rotavirus A Outbreaks in Ireland (2023-2024): An Epid...
Viruses2025; 17(4); 511; doi: 10.3390/v17040511

Equine Rotavirus A Outbreaks in Ireland (2023-2024): An Epidemiological Investigation and Virus Genotyping.

Abstract: Equine rotavirus A (RVA) is a major cause of debilitating diarrhoea in neonatal foals globally. The aim of this study was to characterise RVA viruses currently circulating in Ireland and to identify risk factors associated with disease outbreaks. Of the 377 samples submitted during 2023 and 2024, 48 foals from 36 outbreaks were confirmed to be RVA-positive by real-time PCR. The viruses detected were genotyped by VP7 and VP4 gene sequencing. In 2024, the attending veterinary surgeon was contacted, and epidemiological data were collected. These included the vaccination status of the foal's dam and the clinician's opinion of the hygiene standard and stocking density on the farm. During the study period, 37 G3 RVAs were detected on 26 premises and 7 G14 RVAs were detected on 6 premises. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all the viruses characterised were of the G3A subtype and the P[12]genotype and were closely related to viruses previously identified in Europe and Japan. Farm hygiene standards and stocking rates, with some exceptions, were considered satisfactory by the clinicians. However, vaccination coverage needs to be improved as the dams of the affected foals were unvaccinated on 68% of farms.
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Publication Date: 2025-03-31 PubMed ID: 40284954PubMed Central: PMC12031229DOI: 10.3390/v17040511Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research investigates the factors contributing to disease outbreaks of the Rotavirus A in foals across Ireland during 2023-2024, indicating a need for improved vaccination coverage.

Research Overview

  • The research engaged in the identification and characterisation of Rotavirus A (RVA) strains causing disease outbreaks in Ireland during the 2023-2024 study period, also exploring the associated risk factors. RVA is primarily responsible for bringing diarrhoea among newborn foals worldwide.

Method of Data Collection

  • The study analysed 377 samples submitted during the years 2023 and 2024. Out of these, 48 foals from 36 distinct outbreaks were determined to carry the RVA, based on real-time PCR results.
  • The detected RVAs were categorised via gene sequencing of VP7 and VP4.
  • Further data were gathered by reaching out to the veterinary surgeons present at the time of the outbreak in 2024. The data collected pertains to the vaccination status of the foal’s mothers (dams), the perceived level of hygiene on the farm, and the farm’s stocking density.

Data Analysis and Findings

  • Phylogenetic analysis revealed that every virus characterised under the study fell into the G3A subtype and the P[12] genotype. These virus strains share a close link to strains previously found in Europe as well as Japan.
  • The study identified 37 G3 RVAs on 26 facilities and 7 G14 RVAs on 6 facilities.
  • Description of the hygiene levels and stocking rates on the majority of farms were found to be mostly satisfactory by the clinicians, barring a few exceptions.
  • The research uncovered a major problem area with vaccination coverage; the dams of the ailing foals were unvaccinated on 68% of the farms that participated in the study. This implies that increased attention towards broader vaccination coverage could significantly aid in the control and prevention of RVA outbreaks in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
Cullinane A, Garvey M, Dayot L, Lukaseviciute G. (2025). Equine Rotavirus A Outbreaks in Ireland (2023-2024): An Epidemiological Investigation and Virus Genotyping. Viruses, 17(4), 511. https://doi.org/10.3390/v17040511

Publication

Viruses
ISSN: 1999-4915
NlmUniqueID: 101509722
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 4
PII: 511

Researcher Affiliations

Cullinane, Ann
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co., W91 RH93 Kildare, Ireland.
Garvey, Marie
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co., W91 RH93 Kildare, Ireland.
Dayot, Laura
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co., W91 RH93 Kildare, Ireland.
Lukaseviciute, Gabija
  • Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co., W91 RH93 Kildare, Ireland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Rotavirus / genetics
  • Rotavirus / classification
  • Rotavirus / isolation & purification
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Rotavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Rotavirus Infections / veterinary
  • Rotavirus Infections / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
  • Genotype
  • Phylogeny
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Feces / virology
  • Diarrhea / veterinary
  • Diarrhea / virology
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology

Grant Funding

  • Equine Technical Support and Equine Breeding Schemes 2024, grant number 22/ETS/2024 Inves-tigation of Viral Diarrhoea in Foals. / Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Ireland

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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