Biosecurity

No cases of equine influenza were identified in French horses between 2015 and late 2018. Could high vaccination rates have been responsible?

This host-range shift from equine to canine hosts is unique, say researchers, because it occurred from one mammalian host to another.

Equine Herpes Virus is very contagious and can cause respiratory disease, abortion, and neurological disease.

Samples sent to Britain’s Animal Health Trust confirmed suspicions of equine flu.

Cases in Britain hit the 200 mark, compared to only two in 2018.

Samples taken when the horse suddenly developed a fever confirmed the presence of the mosquito-borne virus, which was first isolated in 1955 in Malaysia.

Equine Guelph and Merck pilot scheme the first national-level biosurveillance programme for the country.

Modification to test developed to distinguish between human and avian flu would pave way for fast equine influenza diagnosis.

“Throughout the study we’ve been tracking a lot of influenza even in well-vaccinated horses, regardless of age and breed.”

The study team investigated Burkholderia mallei, the bacterium responsible for glanders, a highly infectious notifiable zoonotic disease.

Experts background the surge of cases in the US and Europe, and offers some advice.

Because of the global nature of many of these diseases, it is important for agencies to work together to find ways to reduce the risk.