Future international management of African horse sickness vaccines.

This research article investigates three types of vaccines for African horse sickness, with emphasis on the effectiveness of the inactivated viral vaccine. The article further discusses the benefits of establishing international vaccine banks for this disease.

Overview of AHS Vaccines

The paper reviews three main types of vaccines used for African horse sickness:

• Adult mouse brain vaccine
• Modified live vaccine
• Inactivated viral vaccine (IVV)

Efficacy Trials and Results

Each type of vaccine underwent efficacy trials to test their effectiveness against the disease. These trials showed that the inactivated viral vaccine (IVV) had significant advantages over the other two types:

• The IVV, when administered in two separate doses, offered full protection against African horse sickness. This suggests a higher efficacy rate compared to the other variants.
• After the IVV was administered, the study subjects showed no signs of viraemia (presence of viruses in the blood) even after challenge tests. A lack of viraemia implies that the risk of infecting insect vectors (which can then spread the disease further) is practically eliminated.

Advantages of International Vaccine Banks

The author finishes the paper by advocating for creating international vaccine banks for African horse sickness:

• Such vaccine banks could act as a reservoir of effective vaccines, like the IVV, available for rapid deployment in areas hit by outbreaks. This would enable a quick response to disease outbreaks, reducing the risk of spread and mortality.
• International vaccine banks also facilitate scientific collaboration. They allow for vaccine types to be exchanged, studied, and improved upon, contributing to the larger goal of controlling and eventually eradicating African horse sickness.