Infectious disease incidence among horses in France, Ireland and the United Kingdom during 1984.

This study details the incidence of various infectious diseases among horses in France, Ireland, and the United Kingdom in 1984, following an equine viral arteritis outbreak in Kentucky, including sporadic cases of influenza from the type 2 strain of the virus, strangles in thoroughbred mares and foals, outbreaks of the abortion form of rhinopneumonitis, and a small number of equine infectious anaemia cases in France.

Impact of Equine Viral Arteritis Outbreak in Kentucky

• The study begins by referencing an outbreak of equine viral arteritis in the American state of Kentucky in 1984. This disease affects horses by causing various symptoms such as fever, depression, swelling, and potentially severe respiratory problems.
• In response to this outbreak, France, Ireland, and the UK imposed a temporary ban on importing horses from the USA during that year in an attempt to control and prevent the spread of the disease.

Incidence of Influenza and Strangles

• The study lists a number of diseases that were present among horses in these countries including sporadic cases of influenza caused by the type 2 strain of the virus throughout the year in France. Influenza in horses can be particularly distressing, leading to symptoms such as coughing, fever, and often anorexia.
• Strangles, a disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi and characterized by severe inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, was reported in thoroughbred mares and foals in all three countries.

Other Notable Diseases

• No cases of contagious equine metritis, a highly contagious venereal disease in horses, were confirmed in the thoroughbred breeding population. This fact is important because this disease could have a large impact on the horse breeding industry if it were present.
• However, there were outbreaks of rhinopneumonitis, specifically the abortion form of the disease. Rhinopneumonitis is a herpes virus that can cause respiratory disease, abortions, and occasionally neurologic disease in horses. These outbreaks are significant as they would drastically affect the reproductive abilities of breeding horses.
• Lastly, the study mentions a small number of clinical cases of equine infectious anaemia were confirmed in France. This disease is difficult to manage, as it is incurable and can lead to severe illness or even death among infected horses.