Equine viral arteritis: a disease of emerging significance?

The research article addresses the increasing significance of equine viral arteritis (EVA), an infectious disease capable of causing global impact on the bloodstock industry, focusing on its recent recognition due to recurring episodes and implications in the Thoroughbred population.

Introduction to Equine Viral Arteritis

• The paper begins by emphasizing the capability of infectious diseases to create a global impact on the bloodstock industry, drawing attention to a specific disease, equine viral arteritis (EVA).
• EVA’s ability to influence the thoroughbred population on a global scale is a significant focus of the discussion.

Historical Outbreak of EVA

• The research refers to a significant outbreak of EVA that occurred in central Kentucky in 1984.
• This outbreak led to a significant surge in national and international interest in the disease, which had previously remained relatively unknown despite occasional reported instances.

EVA’s Recognition as a Disease

• The abstract acknowledges that equine viral arteritis has been recognized as a distinctive viral disease affecting horses for over three decades, citing a key resource (Doll, Bryans, McCollum, and Crowe 1957).
• However, few regarded it as a major concern before the Kentucky outbreak, leading to the increasing significance of EVA in contemporary horse industry discussions.

EVA’s Increasing Significance

• The spotlight on EVA’s impact is regarded as a recent phenomenon due to the growing number of occurrence reports and its implications on the Thoroughbred population.
• The paper is poised to delve into an examination of this infectious disease, its potential effects, and the reasons behind its increasing importance in the horse industry.