African horse sickness is spread by
biting midges
(also called “punkies” or “no-see-ums”) (vector). Mosquitoes and biting flies may also be able to transfer the virus. Dogs can become infected by eating (oral) contaminated horsemeat.
How does African horse sickness spread?
African horse sickness is spread by
biting midges
(also called “punkies” or “no-see-ums”) (vector). Mosquitoes and biting flies may also be able to transfer the virus. Dogs can become infected by eating (oral) contaminated horsemeat.
Is African horse sickness contagious?
African horse sickness (AHS) virus causes
a non-contagious, infectious
, arthropod-borne disease of equines and occasionally of dogs. The virus is widely distributed across sub-Saharan African where it is transmitted between susceptible vertebrate hosts by the vectors.
Where does African horse sickness come from?
African horse sickness is a devastating disease that causes great suffering and many fatalities amongst horses in sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by
nine different serotypes of the orbivirus African horse sickness virus (AHSV)
and it is spread by Culicoid midges.
What are the two forms of African horse sickness?
Four different forms of African horse sickness exist: the
peracute (pulmonary) form, the subacute edematous (cardiac) form, the acute (mixed) form, and horsesickness fever
. Sudden death can also occur without preceding signs.
Is African horse sickness fatal?
African horse sickness is a serious, often
fatal disease of horses
, mules, and donkeys.
How do you control African horse sickness?
The best way to protect animals from African horse sickness is to
decrease their exposure to biting midges and other insects
(e.g., mosquitoes and biting flies). Stabling horses in insect-proof housing, particularly between dusk and dawn when the insects are most active, can help prevent exposure.
How long does African horse sickness last?
Viremia usually lasts
4-8 days in horses but may persist for up to 21 days
. There is no evidence to indicate existence of the carrier state in recovered animals. Zebra, which are considered the natural reservoir of the virus in most regions in Africa, may remain viremic for up to 40 days.
What virus Kills horses?
The gray Irish Sport Horse, named McCoy, tested negative for an illness currently devastating European equestrian sports. An outbreak of a neurological
form of the common equine herpes virus
has killed nearly 20 horses and sickened over 100 more.
What disease kills horses?
Health officials in the US are warning that a deadly horse virus which can jump to humans may be coming to its 10-year peak, after a hike in cases on the East Coast.
Eastern equine encephalitis
What are the symptoms of African horse sickness?
- fever (40–41°C)
- difficulty breathing, spasmodic coughing, dilated nostrils with frothy discharge.
- redness of conjunctivae.
- nearly always fatal.
- death usually within 1 week.
Are there horses native to Africa?
The Namib Desert horse
(Afrikaans: Namib Woestyn
What causes equine infectious anemia?
Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a viral disease
transmitted primarily by flies, contaminated instruments and equipment
. There is no vaccine for EIA and no known treatment. Horses that survive the acute phase of infection become lifelong carriers that pose a transmission risk to other horses.
Can horses make people sick?
Can you get a disease from your horse?
Yes
, but the good news is that direct horse to human disease transmission is rare. Here’s a quick refresher on some bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral diseases that can potentially be transmitted to us directly from the equines in our lives.
What does strangles do to horses?
Strangles is a
highly contagious disease of the equine upper respiratory tract
caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi). The bacteria cross mucous membranes in the nose and mouth to infect lymph nodes where they cause abscesses that can eventually rupture.
How is bluetongue virus spread?
Bluetongue virus is spread by
insects called biting midges (Culicoides spp.)
. (vector). Other biting insects, such as ticks or sheep keds, may also transfer the virus. Bluetongue is not contagious and is not spread by contact between animals.
