Outbreak of equine influenza among horses in Hong Kong during 1992.
Abstract: Equine-2 influenza virus A (H3N8) infection occurred among vaccinated thoroughbred horses in Hong Kong during November and December 1992. The outbreak was unique in that it occurred among a large population stabled under intensive conditions. It resulted in the postponement of seven race meetings over a period of 32 days. The outbreak originated after the importation of horses 25 to 32 days before any clinical signs were reported. Vaccination did not prevent 75 per cent of the population from becoming infected, and half the infected horses developed clinical signs. Vaccination did, however, contribute to reducing the morbidity and the severity and duration of the clinical signs.
Publication Date: 1995-05-27 PubMed ID: 7660556DOI: 10.1136/vr.136.21.531Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research article discusses an outbreak of the Equine-2 influenza virus A (H3N8) among vaccinated thoroughbred horses in Hong Kong in 1992, which impacted a large stable population and disrupted racing events. Despite vaccination efforts, the virus infected most of the population, demonstrating the need for improved protective measures.
Research Context
- This study focuses on an outbreak of Equine-2 influenza virus A (H3N8) that occurred in November and December 1992, predominantly affecting thoroughbred horses in Hong Kong.
- The uniqueness of this outbreak was the context it occurred in: a large population of horses stabled under intensive conditions. This situation created a high-risk environment for the rapid spread of the disease.
- As a consequence, the outbreak led to severe disruptions, including the postponement of seven race meetings over a course of 32 days.
Outbreak Origins and Impact
- The research found out that the origin of the outbreak was linked to the importation of horses 25 to 32 days before any clinical signs of the infection were reported.
- Despite all the horses being vaccinated, the vaccine did not effectively prevent the horses from getting infected. The infection rate was a high 75% within the stable population, which indicates failed containment and protection measures.
- Fifty percent of the infected horses exhibited clinical signs of the disease, in spite of being vaccinated.
Role of Vaccination
- However, the vaccination did contribute to reducing the morbidity rate and the severity and duration of the clinical symptoms. Therefore, while the vaccine did not prevent infection, it did mitigate the impact of the disease on the horses.
- This general outcome suggests that despite the initial failure, vaccination still plays a significant role in the management and reduction of disease outbreaks among horses and potentially other livestock.
- Further research and improvements in vaccination protocols and biosecurity measures are thus necessary to better protect stable populations from influenza outbreaks.
Cite This Article
APA
Powell DG, Watkins KL, Li PH, Shortridge KF.
(1995).
Outbreak of equine influenza among horses in Hong Kong during 1992.
Vet Rec, 136(21), 531-536.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.136.21.531 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546-0099, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / analysis
- Commerce
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Female
- Hong Kong / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses
- Influenza A virus / immunology
- Influenza A virus / isolation & purification
- Influenza Vaccines / administration & dosage
- Male
- Nasopharynx / virology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
- Vaccination / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 17 times.- Ahearne MM, Pentzke-Lemus LL, Romano AM, Larsen ED, Watson AM, O'Fallon EA, Landolt GA. Disease progression, pathologic, and virologic findings of an equine influenza outbreak in rescue donkeys.. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Nov;36(6):2230-2237.
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- Oladunni FS, Oseni SO, Martinez-Sobrido L, Chambers TM. Equine Influenza Virus and Vaccines.. Viruses 2021 Aug 20;13(8).
- Cullinane A, Gahan J, Walsh C, Nemoto M, Entenfellner J, Olguin-Perglione C, Garvey M, Huang Fu TQ, Venner M, Yamanaka T, Barrandeguy M, Fernandez CJ. Evaluation of Current Equine Influenza Vaccination Protocols Prior to Shipment, Guided by OIE Standards.. Vaccines (Basel) 2020 Feb 29;8(1).
- Sack A, Daramragchaa U, Chuluunbaatar M, Gonchigoo B, Bazartseren B, Tsogbadrakh N, Gray GC. Low Prevalence of Enzootic Equine Influenza Virus among Horses in Mongolia.. Pathogens 2017 Nov 30;6(4).
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- Meseko CA, Ehizibolo DO, Nwokike EC, Wungak YS. Serological evidence of equine influenza virus in horse stables in Kaduna, Nigeria.. J Equine Sci 2016;27(3):99-105.
- Yamanaka T, Nemoto M, Bannai H, Tsujimura K, Kondo T, Matsumura T, Gildea S, Cullinane A. Evaluation of twenty-two rapid antigen detection tests in the diagnosis of Equine Influenza caused by viruses of H3N8 subtype.. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2016 Mar;10(2):127-33.
- Perglione CO, Gildea S, Rimondi A, Miño S, Vissani A, Carossino M, Cullinane A, Barrandeguy M. Epidemiological and virological findings during multiple outbreaks of equine influenza in South America in 2012.. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2016 Jan;10(1):37-46.
- Kim EJ, Kim BH, Yang S, Choi EJ, Shin YJ, Song JY, Shin YK. Antibody responses after vaccination against equine influenza in the Republic of Korea in 2013.. J Vet Med Sci 2015 Nov;77(11):1517-21.
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- Galvin P, Gildea S, Nelly M, Quinlivan M, Arkins S, Walsh C, Cullinane A. The evaluation of three diagnostic tests for the detection of equine influenza nucleoprotein in nasal swabs.. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2014 May;8(3):376-83.
- Gildea S, Fitzpatrick DA, Cullinane A. Epidemiological and virological investigations of equine influenza outbreaks in Ireland (2010-2012).. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2013 Dec;7 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):61-72.
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- Gildea S, Arkins S, Cullinane A. A comparative antibody study of the potential susceptibility of Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred horse populations in Ireland to equine influenza virus.. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2010 Nov;4(6):363-72.
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