| Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy | | | | Chronic febrile type: This is less severe - |
| Introduction: African horse sickness is a | | | | often subclinical, rarely found in horses as |
| potentially fatal, untreatable illness of | | | | they are so susceptible, more often in |
| equines, and cases are being found further | | | | donkeys and mules. Signs include fever in the |
| north with global warming. If a case of this | | | | first few days of infection, appetite loss |
| notifiable disease were to be found in the | | | | (anorexia), mild cough, and conjunctivitis |
| UK, we may find a foot and mouth-type | | | | |
| slaughter situation occurring among our | | | | Current Western Treatments: It is |
| equines. Read below for more information! | | | | fundamentally important to seek the urgent |
| | | | opinion of your veterinarian. No active |
| Aetiology: Midges carry the orbivirus | | | | treatment is currently possible, and in the |
| pathogen of African horse sickness. It is | | | | European Union all affected animals will be |
| endemic in horses, mules and donkeys of | | | | compulsorily slaughtered. In other areas of |
| sub-Saharan Africa. Zebras appear to be | | | | the world, supportive nursing care may help. |
| relatively unaffected. Elephants appear to | | | | A further possibility is vaccination - 9 |
| carry the illness subclinically, and dogs can | | | | subtypes have been isolated, each has its own |
| be severely affected, usually from eating | | | | vaccine; two injections are needed & the |
| infected meat. | | | | effect is relatively short-lived. |
| | | | |
| Clinical Signs: This disease has several | | | | Limiting Outbreaks: It is possible that the |
| subtypes: | | | | virus spends part of the year in Africa in |
| | | | subclinically affected, unrecognised hosts, |
| Acute Pulmonary Type: This is characterised | | | | while the midges are inactive. This may be |
| by fever (temperature >40.5°C, sweating, | | | | the reason why, to date, outbreaks in Spain |
| and severe respiratory signs - coughing, | | | | have been short-lived. Such outbreaks may |
| laboured breathing, yellow frothy nasal | | | | have been from importing infected zebras. |
| discharge. There may also be congested mucous | | | | |
| membranes, and collapse and death can occur | | | | Horses imported into the European Union are |
| within a few hours. There is a 95% mortality, | | | | routinely tested for African horse sickness. |
| but survivors have severe respiratory | | | | EU Council Directive 92/35 provides for |
| distress for several weeks. | | | | compulsory notification of cases, and the |
| | | | setting up of a protection zone of least 100 |
| Subacute Cardiac Form: In this form the heart | | | | kilometres radius around any infected |
| is more greatly affected. Signs include | | | | premises, to remain in force for at least 12 |
| pericardial effusion (fluid between the | | | | months. |
| muscle and outer covering of the heart), | | | | |
| pleural effusion (fluid in lungs, due to | | | | Complementary Therapies: This is a notifiable |
| heart failure), endocarditis (inflammation in | | | | disease in the United Kingdom. Many |
| the inner layer of heart muscle, the | | | | complementary therapies such as healing, |
| endocardium), swelling of head, neck & chest | | | | Reiki and massage will help with supportive |
| (oedema, due to heart failure), and cyanosis | | | | nursing care in cases likely to recover (and |
| (blue colour due to lack of oxygen in the | | | | in countries where the animals will not be |
| blood) of mucous membranes. petechiae (red | | | | put down). Reiki and spiritual healing can be |
| specks of blood where it is leaving the | | | | extremely useful for both animal and owner |
| smallest blood vessels) may be evident on the | | | | when the former has to be put down. |
| mouth and under the tongue. Fever tends to be | | | | |
| intermittent, and there is a 60% mortality, | | | | Conclusion: This devastating illness is too |
| from heart failure. | | | | infectious for affected animals to be allowed |
| | | | to survive. It may spread North from Africa |
| Mixed form: In this there is a cCombination | | | | with global warming, and a few cases have |
| of respiratory followed by cardiac symptoms, | | | | been seen in Spain. In the UK, if a case was |
| and the incubation period is 3-7 days | | | | to be found, the management is likely to be |
| | | | similar to that of Foot and Mouth Disease. |