African horse sickness: A practice update

Abstract

The aim was to a practice update include historical review, methods of diagnosis, prevention and control of infection by the African Horse Sickness virus. African horse sickness (AHS) is caused by a virus of the family Reoviridae of the genus Orbivirus. Usual hosts are equids: horses, mules, donkeys and zebra and the reservoir host are believed to be zebras and Culicoides spp. and unlikely to play a role in transmission. In the majority of cases, the subclinical cardiac form is suddenly followed by marked dyspnoea and other signs typical of the pulmonary form a Nervous form may occur, though it is rare. Diagnosis requires sampling and multidisciplinary auxiliary tools: clinical, serological, pathological (necropsy and sampling, histopathology, ultrastructural), molecular and viral isolation. Prevention measures include quarantine in the movement of equines including zebras, vector control, monitoring and vaccination in enzootic areas, confinement as a containment measure in case of outbreaks with vaccination programs. In conclusion greater control and monitoring of the international spread of equine diseases is an objective, considering the teamwork of horse industries and the equine health regulatory authority.

Keywords: AHSV, equine, reovirus, sickness, Orbivirus.