Dr. Napawan Bunpapong and a research team from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok used molecular-based testing to help determine the disease's origin. They discovered that every blood and tissue sample taken from affected horses in Thailand contained the virus, and more specifically, contained unique amino acids, indicating a single, common origin. The researchers suggest that the virus may have come from an asymptomatic animal like a zebra.

The government of Thailand restricted movement and enforced quarantine, disinfection and vector control to try to staunch the spread of the disease. Mass vaccination was also completed in Thailand and neighboring countries.

Affected horses had a fever and swelling near their eyes; they became depressed and short of breath before dying suddenly within 48 hours.

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Carried by biting midges, the virus kills nearly 90 percent of the horses it infects; Thailand's first experience with the virus began in February. Efforts to control the spread of infection have included establishing surveillance and containment zones, restricting movement, quarantine and disinfection. Barns housing horses have been wrapped in plastic or fine mesh and regularly fumigated to keep the insects away from horses.

Nearly 6,000 African Horse Sickness vaccines have been administered, some of which have been given to zebras. There is suspicion that the disease was brought to Thailand through zebra importation; the import of zebras was terminated on April 8.

It is reported that between 150 and 500 horses have died.

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