With the discovery of the Schmallenberg virus in Britain in late January it is ever more likely that African horse sickness (AHS) may invade the UK according to veterinarians. AHS kills as many as 90% of those horses it infects, and is spread by the same insect as the Schmallenberg virus — the culicoides midge.
Schmallenberg Virus is a new emerging livestock disease that has been detected in Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.
It is similar to some other animal disease pathogens, such as Akabane and Shamonda viruses, which are transmitted by vectors, such as midges, mosquitoes and ticks.
Chance of African horse sickness in UK noted
AHS kills as many as 90% of those horses it infects, and is spread by the same insect as the Schmallenberg virus, the culicoides midge.
All the evidence currently suggests that the disease was brought into the UK from infected midges blown across the Channel. We have seen no evidence to suggest that it was from imported livestock. We are closely tracking the disease and will continue to work with partners across Europe and the UK to develop our knowledge of the disease.
Although Schmallenberg does not affect horses, it has infected cattle and sheep at 158 farms in south England and the Midlands, and following cases of bluetongue disease in 2007 — also spread by the culicodes — chances that AHS will eventually hit the UK are increased, say experts.
African Horse Sickness (AHS) is a highly fatal and infectious disease, which affects horses, mules and donkeys. It is carried and spread by biting insects.
The disease is notifiable: if you suspect the disease, you must immediately notify the duty vet in your local Animal Health Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) office.
The disease is not directly contagious between horses, has never occurred in the UK but is present (endemic) in sub-Saharan Africa. Dogs can also be severely infected by the virus, usually by eating infected horsemeat.
Housing horses in accommodation at times of peak midge activity will reduce the likelihood of midge attack but it is unlikely to fully protect your horse. A combination of protection measures is recommended to ensure the highest possible degree of protection is achieved.
“Smallenberg and bluetongue have spread from Europe in exactly the same pattern as would occur if AHS were present,” said Paul Jepson, the vet who chairs the government and horse industry’s joint AHS Working Group. “It shown once again that an outbreak could happen.”
AHS has never occurred in the UK. It is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and the closest outbreak to the UK happened in Spain and Portugal from 1987-1991.The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in England is due to publish its regulations and disease control strategy document for AHS in the summer, but is ready to roll it out at a moment’s notice if the disease is found in Europe, said Brigadier Jepson.
A vaccine could also be produced within weeks of an outbreak. Epidemiologist Prof Matt Baylis of Liverpool University said: “Horse owners should start thinking about what they would do if AHS were in the midge population of the UK or Europe.