Evidence for absence of equine arteritis virus in the horse population of New Zealand.

The research focuses on data collected over a decade to support the claim that the equine arteritis virus does not exist among New Zealand’s horse population. The researchers performed different tests across various horse breeds, including Thoroughbreds, Standardbreds, and others, and have found minimal prevalence of the virus among them.

Research Methods

• The research was centered on studying a set of laboratory results from 2001 to 2011.
• The specimens for these tests were drawn from horses that were intended for domestic import and export.
• Additionally, samples were also taken from stallions as part of the New Zealand equine viral arteritis (EVA) control scheme.
• Also, tests were carried out for transboundary animal disease (TAD) investigations to exclude the presence of EVA.
• The horse breeds analyzed were broadly categorized into Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and others.

Results

• Around 7,157 EVA serological test records were available for examination over the period of 2005 to 2011.
• The seroprevalence for all three breed divisions was found to be 1.6% or less at a 95% confidence level.
• Furthermore, 465 stallions had their EVA statuses determined as negative between 2001 and 2011 as part of an EVA control scheme.
• Additionally, from 2005 to 2011, EVA was eliminated from 84 TAD investigations.

Conclusions

• The researchers concluded that there were zero indications of the equine arteritis virus existing in the general horse population, aside from carrier stallions managed under the control scheme.
• As such, the general horse population of New Zealand is essentially free from the equine arteritis virus, based on the research conclusions.