Study: Thailand’s African Horse Sickness Outbreak Likely Started From Just One Animal

Scientists have found that the 2020 outbreak of African Horse Sickness in Thailand most likely came from just one affected animal entering the country. Hundreds of horses were killed in the country's first outbreak of the disease, which is spread by biting midges.

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.

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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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African Horse Sickness Loosens Hold On Thailand

The African Horse Sickness outbreak that affected Thailand has now been resolved in multiple provinces. Efforts to eradicate it elsewhere in the country are ongoing. The provinces Thailand's Department of Livestock Development reported resolved are: Chaiyaphum, Sa Kaeo, Ratchaburi, Chonburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

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.

Read more at HorseTalk.

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