FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Veterinary research communications2026; 50(5); 445; doi: 10.1007/s11259-026-11388-w

Seroprevalence and risk factors of African horse sickness in equines in central Gondar, Ethiopia.

Abstract: African horse sickness is a severe vector-borne viral disease of equines, associated with high mortality and substantial economic losses. In Ethiopia, where equines are essential for transport and agriculture, the disease remains endemic, yet epidemiological data are limited in many areas. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) and describe variation in seropositivity across selected factors in equines in the Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to August 2025, during which 384 serum samples were collected and tested using a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA). Of these, 310 were seropositive, giving an overall seroprevalence of 80.7% (95% CI: 76.4-84.6%). Seroprevalence was slightly higher in East Dembia (81.3%) than in West Dembia (79.9%). Univariable logistic regression showed no statistically significant associations between seropositivity and the evaluated variables (p > 0.05). Although not statistically significant, higher odds were observed in donkeys and horses compared to mules, in older animals, and under sheltered management conditions. These findings indicate widespread exposure to AHSV in the study area. However, results should be interpreted cautiously due to the descriptive nature of the analysis. Further studies incorporating larger sample sizes, multivariable approaches, and complementary diagnostic methods are recommended to better understand infection dynamics. Strengthened vaccination, improved management practices, and effective vector control remain essential for reducing disease impact.
© 2026. The Author(s).
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2026-07-08 PubMed ID: 42418026PubMed Central: 12022061DOI: 10.1007/s11259-026-11388-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

African horse sickness virus exposure is widespread among equines in Central Gondar, Ethiopia, with over 80% testing seropositive. The study highlights the need for enhanced vaccination, management, and vector control to mitigate disease impact.

Background and Importance

  • African horse sickness (AHS) is a severe viral disease transmitted by insect vectors, primarily affecting equines such as horses, donkeys, and mules.
  • The disease causes high mortality rates in affected animals and substantial economic losses, particularly in regions dependent on equines for transport and agriculture.
  • In Ethiopia, where equines play a critical role, AHS remains endemic, but epidemiological data are limited for many zones, including Central Gondar.

Study Aim and Design

  • The primary objective was to estimate the seroprevalence (the presence of antibodies indicating prior exposure) of African horse sickness virus (AHSV) in equines within the Central Gondar Zone.
  • The study also sought to examine how seropositivity varied according to factors such as species, age, geographic location, and management practices.
  • A cross-sectional design was utilized, involving a one-time collection of serum samples from equines between December 2024 and August 2025.
  • A total of 384 serum samples were collected from different equines and tested for AHSV antibodies using a blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (bELISA) — a sensitive diagnostic method.

Key Findings

  • Overall, 310 out of 384 samples tested positive for AHSV antibodies, corresponding to a high seroprevalence rate of 80.7% (confidence interval 76.4-84.6%).
  • Seroprevalence was marginally higher in East Dembia district (81.3%) than in West Dembia (79.9%), indicating widespread exposure across regions.
  • Univariable logistic regression analysis did not find statistically significant associations between seropositivity and factors such as animal species, age, or management conditions (p-values greater than 0.05).
  • Although the analysis was not statistically conclusive, trends suggested that donkeys and horses might have higher odds of exposure compared to mules, older animals might show more seropositivity, and animals kept under sheltered conditions might be at slightly increased risk.

Interpretation and Limitations

  • The high seroprevalence indicates that AHSV exposure is common among equines in the Central Gondar Zone, confirming endemicity in this area.
  • The lack of statistically significant associations suggests that exposure may be widespread across different groups and is not limited to specific risk factors.
  • However, the study’s descriptive nature and limited sample size constrain definitive conclusions about risk factors.
  • Further research is necessary using larger sample sizes, multivariable statistical methods, and complementary diagnostic techniques to better understand infection dynamics and risk factors.

Recommendations and Implications

  • Given the high level of exposure, efforts to control AHS should focus on strengthening vaccination programs for equines in the region to reduce morbidity and mortality.
  • Improving management practices—such as sheltering and reducing vector exposure—might help lower disease transmission.
  • Effective vector control targeting the insect species that transmit AHSV is critical for disease prevention.
  • Ongoing surveillance and epidemiological studies will be important to monitor infection trends, evaluate control strategies, and inform policy decisions.

Cite This Article

APA
Yehulashet AA, Wondmnew F, Abat AS, Alamere EA, Birhan M, Tafere FA, Malede BA, Sechu A, Mersha AC, Tsehay EM, Temesgen AB. (2026). Seroprevalence and risk factors of African horse sickness in equines in central Gondar, Ethiopia. Vet Res Commun, 50(5), 445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-026-11388-w

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 5
PII: 445

Researcher Affiliations

Yehulashet, Abebech Atinafu
  • Department of Veterinary Pharmacy, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box: 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. abebechatinafu18@gmail.com.
Wondmnew, Fentahun
  • Department of Serology, Animal Health Institute, Sebeta, Ethiopia.
Abat, Anmaw Shite
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Alamere, Enyiew Alemnew
  • Debre Birhan Agricultural Research Centre, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia.
Birhan, Mastewal
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Tafere, Firdyawukal Abuhay
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Malede, Birhan Anagaw
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Sechu, Andebet
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Mersha, Amsalu Chanie
  • Department of Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Tsehay, Elias Melkamu
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Temesgen, Abraham Belete
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. abrham.belete@uog.edu.et.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies
  • Ethiopia / epidemiology
  • African Horse Sickness / epidemiology
  • African Horse Sickness / virology
  • Horses
  • Risk Factors
  • African Horse Sickness Virus / isolation & purification
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Male
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
  • Female
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Equidae

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Animal welfare statement: This study was approved by the Ethics Research Review Committee of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Gondar (Ref. No. CVMASc/UoG/RERC/008/2025, December 15, 2024). All procedures were conducted in accordance with relevant national and international guidelines for animal research, including the ARRIVE guidelines. Prior to data collection, permission was obtained from the University of Gondar. Blood sampling was carried out with minimal animal discomfort following standard veterinary procedures. Informed oral consent was obtained from all animal owners after explaining the purpose of the study, confidentiality, and potential benefits and risks.

References

This article includes 40 references
  1. Acosta A, Barrera M, Jarrín D, Maldonado A, Salas J, Camargo G, Mello B, Burbano A, DelaTorre E, Hoffman B, Dietze K. Linking vector favourable environmental conditions with serological evidence of widespread bluetongue virus exposure in livestock in Ecuador. Sci Rep 15:14382.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-95918-7pubmed: 40274904pmc: 12022061google scholar: lookup
  2. Ahmed AG, Abdalla MA, Obaid IH, Elser S, Hussein MO, Fadol MA, Gaafar RA, Elfadil AA. Epidemiological study of African horse sickness in Sudan. Glob J Med Res 18:24–31.
  3. Aklilu N, Batten C, Gelaye E, Jenberie S, Ayelet G, Wilson A, Belay A, Asfaw Y, Oura C, Maan S, Bachanek-Bankowska K. African horse sickness outbreaks caused by multiple virus types in Ethiopia. Transbound Emerg Dis 61:185–192.
    doi: 10.1111/tbed.12024pubmed: 23083078google scholar: lookup
  4. Aliye S, Nigusie K, Fesseha H, Mathewos M. Study on welfare and health status of working equines in and around Shashamene town, Ethiopia. Emerg Anim Species 3:100004.
    doi: 10.1016/j.eas.2022.100004google scholar: lookup
  5. Apostolopoulos V, Chavda VP, Mehta R, Rodriguez-Morales AJ, Henao-MartÍnez AF, Sah R. Alert and surveillance on H5N1 influenza virus: Risks to agriculture and public health. Ther Adv Infect Dis 11:20499361241266521.
    pubmed: 39070700pmc: 11273774
  6. Assefa A, Tibebu A, Bihon A, Dagnachew A, Muktar Y. Ecological niche modeling predicting the potential distribution of African horse sickness virus from 2020 to 2060. Sci Rep 12:1748.
    doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-05826-3pubmed: 35110661pmc: 8811056google scholar: lookup
  7. Azeez NMA. The disease picture of African horse sickness virus in suckling mice. .
  8. Bekele D, Dessalegn B, Tadesse B, Abey SL. Streptococcus equi subspecies equi from strangles suspected equines: Molecular detection, antibiogram profiles and risk factors. BMC Vet Res 20:377.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-024-04236-zpubmed: 39180060pmc: 11342554google scholar: lookup
  9. Bitew M, Andargie A, Bekele M, Jenberie S, Ayelet G, Gelaye E. Serological survey of African horse sickness in selected districts of Jimma zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. Trop Anim Health Prod 43:1543–1547.
    doi: 10.1007/s11250-011-9839-8pubmed: 21465102google scholar: lookup
  10. Bouyer J. Logistic regression and epidemiology. I. Rev Epidemiol Sante Publique 39:79–87.
    pubmed: 2031101
  11. Chávez-Tinoco M, Solis-Cruz B, López-Mena ER, García-Salazar KS, Hernández-Patlán D, Mejía-Méndez JL. Nanotechnological innovations in the treatment and diagnosis of viral pathogens: Biomedical and macromolecular insights. J Nanotheranostics 6:30.
    doi: 10.3390/jnt6040030google scholar: lookup
  12. Chinyere CN, Ajaebili AC, Peter-Ajuzie IK, Galadima HB, Daodu OB, Fatola OI, Okolo CC, Alaba BA, Akinniyi OO, Omoniwa DO, Edeh ER. Prevalence of African horse sickness virus antibodies in horses and selected wildlife in four geographical regions of Nigeria. Vet Med Int 2025. 4106678.
  13. Chuong VD, Schambow RA, Diep NT, Minh PQ, Van Long N, Nga BTT, Perez AM. African swine fever epidemic in Vietnam: A scoping review. .
  14. Getaw Y, Dejene B. A study on the sero epidemiology of African horse sickness in three woredas of Sidama Zone, Hawassa, Ethiopia. J Vet Med Anim Health 9:235–239.
    doi: 10.5897/JVMAH2016.0542google scholar: lookup
  15. Haji Ende HT, Balcha E, Amsalu K, Gizaw D. Seroprevalence of African horse sickness at central highland of Ethiopia. Adv Anim Vet Sci 1:84–87.
  16. World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) (2025) African horse sickness. https://www.woah.org/en/disease/african-horse-sickness
  17. Kamel M, Aleya S, Almagharbeh WT, Aleya L, Abdel-Daim MM. The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in dairy cattle: Implications for public health, animal health, and pandemic preparedness.. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1–17.
  18. Karamalla ST, Gubran AI, Adam IA, Abdalla TM, Sinada RO, Haroun EM, Aradaib IE. Sero-epidemiological survey on African horse sickness virus among horses in Khartoum State, Central Sudan.. BMC Vet Res 14:230.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-018-1554-5pubmed: 30068335pmc: 6090883google scholar: lookup
  19. Kassa D. African horse sickness: Seroprevalence and identification of risk factors in equidae at selected sites in Ethiopia.. Unpublished MSc Thesis, Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Debrezeit, Ethiopia..
  20. Kim K, Xu T, Kannan Villalan A, Chi T, Yu X, Jin M, Wu R, Ni G, Sui S, Wang Z, Wang X. Environmental and historical determinants of African horse sickness: Insights from predictive modeling.. Transbound Emerg Dis 2024:5586647.
    doi: 10.1155/2024/5586647pubmed: 40303017pmc: 12017013google scholar: lookup
  21. Lefevre PC, Calvez D. Bluetongue in intertropical Africa: Influence of ecological factors on infection prevalence in small ruminants.. Rev Elev Med Vet Pays Trop 39:3–4.
  22. MacLachlan NJ, Guthrie AJ. Re-emergence of bluetongue, African horse sickness, and other orbivirus diseases.. Vet Res 41(6):35.
    doi: 10.1051/vetres/2010007pubmed: 20167199pmc: 2826768google scholar: lookup
  23. Meiswinkel R, Gomulski LM, Delécolle JC, Goffredo M, Gasperi G. The taxonomy of Culicoides vector complexes—unfinished business.. Vet Ital 40:151–159.
    pubmed: 20419654
  24. Mellor PS, Hamblin C. African horse sickness.. Vet Res 35:445–466.
    doi: 10.1051/vetres:2004021pubmed: 15236676google scholar: lookup
  25. Mohammad I. H5N1 to H7N9: assessing the global impact and preparedness for 2025. .
  26. Molini U, Zaccaria G, Kandiwa E, Mushonga B, Khaiseb S, Ntahonshikira C, Chiwome B, Baines I, Madzingira O, Savini G, D’Alterio N. Seroprevalence of African horse sickness in selected donkey populations in Namibia.. Vet World 13:1005.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.1005-1009pubmed: 32636601pmc: 7311865google scholar: lookup
  27. Ndebé MM, Mouiche MM, Moffo F, Poueme RN, Awah-Ndukum J. Seroprevalence and risk factors of African horse sickness in three agroecological zones of Cameroon.. Vet Med Int 2022:2457772.
  28. Negessu D, Worku T. Review on the biology of African horse sickness virus and its vector.. Sci Technol 4:50–61.
  29. Nidra FY, Monir MB, Dewan SMR. Avian influenza A (H5N1) outbreak 2024 in Cambodia: Worries over the possible spread of the virus to other Asian nations and the strategic outlook for its control.. Environ Health Insights 18:11786302241246453.
    doi: 10.1177/11786302241246453pubmed: 38585332pmc: 10999124google scholar: lookup
  30. Oura CAL, Ivens PAS, Bachanek-Bankowska K, Bin-Tarif ADBCSCA, Jallow DB, Sailleau C, Maan S, Mertens PC, Batten CA. African horse sickness in The Gambia: Circulation of a live-attenuated vaccine-derived strain.. Epidemiol Infect 140:462–465.
    doi: 10.1017/S095026881100080Xpubmed: 21733265google scholar: lookup
  31. Rodríguez M, Joseph S, Pfeffer M, Raghavan R, Wernery U. Immune response of horses to inactivated African horse sickness vaccines. BMC Vet Res 2020;16:322.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-020-02540-ypubmed: 32873300pmc: 7466525google scholar: lookup
  32. Skowronek AJ, LaFranco L, Stone-Marschat MA, Burrage TG, Rebar AH, Laegreid WW. Clinical pathology and hemostatic abnormalities in experimental African horse sickness. Vet Pathol 1995;32:112–121.
    doi: 10.1177/030098589503200203pubmed: 7771050google scholar: lookup
  33. Tarekegn M, Tekie H, Dugassa S, Wolde-Hawariat Y. Malaria prevalence and associated risk factors in Dembiya district, North-western Ethiopia. Malar J 2021;20:372.
    doi: 10.1186/s12936-021-03906-9pubmed: 34535130pmc: 8447688google scholar: lookup
  34. Thompson GM, Jess S, Murchie AK. A review of African horse sickness and its implications for Ireland. Ir Vet J 2012;65:9.
    doi: 10.1186/2046-0481-65-9pubmed: 22553991pmc: 3390273google scholar: lookup
  35. Tilahun T, Guadu T, Fentahun T, Chanie M. Seroprevalence and associated risk factors of African horse sickness in Arsi and Bale zones, Southeastern Ethiopia. Int J Anim Vet Adv 2012;4:425–431.
  36. Tinarwo M, Dennis SJ, Hitzeroth II, Meyers AE, Rybicki EP, Mbewana S. Development of an African horse sickness VP6 DIVA diagnostic ELISA. Virol J 2025;22:276.
    doi: 10.1186/s12985-025-02898-1pubmed: 40796889pmc: 12344834google scholar: lookup
  37. Wassie ZG, Temesgen AB. Prevalence of equine strongyloidiasis and associated risk factors in Guder, Ethiopia. J Biomed Res 2025;6:72–77.
    doi: 10.46439/biomedres.6.067google scholar: lookup
  38. Wilson A, Mellor PS, Szmaragd C, Mertens PPC. Adaptive strategies of African horse sickness virus to facilitate vector transmission. Vet Res 2008;40:16.
    doi: 10.1051/vetres:2008054pubmed: 19094921pmc: 2695022google scholar: lookup
  39. Zeleke A, Sori T, Powell K, Gebreab F, Endebu B. Isolation and identification of circulating serotypes of African horse sickness virus in Ethiopia. J Appl Res Vet Med 2005;3:40–43.
  40. Zientara S, Weyer CT, Lecollinet S. African horse sickness. Rev Sci Tech Off Int Epiz 2015;34:315–332.
    doi: 10.20506/rst.34.2.2359google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 105,757 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.