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African Horse Sickness - a Spreading concern

Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally HealthyChronic febrile type: This is less severe -
Introduction: African horse sickness is aoften subclinical, rarely found in horses as
potentially fatal, untreatable illness ofthey are so susceptible, more often in
equines, and cases are being found furtherdonkeys and mules. Signs include fever in the
north with global warming. If a case of thisfirst 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 ourCurrent 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 orbivirustreatment is currently possible, and in the
pathogen of African horse sickness. It isEuropean Union all affected animals will be
endemic in horses, mules and donkeys ofcompulsorily slaughtered. In other areas of
sub-Saharan Africa. Zebras appear to bethe world, supportive nursing care may help.
relatively unaffected. Elephants appear toA further possibility is vaccination - 9
carry the illness subclinically, and dogs cansubtypes have been isolated, each has its own
be severely affected, usually from eatingvaccine; two injections are needed & the
infected  meat.effect  is  relatively  short-lived.
Clinical Signs: This disease has severalLimiting 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 characterisedwhile 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 nasalhave  been  from  importing  infected zebras.
discharge. There may also be congested mucous
membranes, and collapse and death can occurHorses 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 respiratoryEU 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 heartkilometres radius around any infected
is more greatly affected. Signs includepremises, to remain in force for at least 12
pericardial effusion (fluid between themonths.
muscle and outer covering of the heart),
pleural effusion (fluid in lungs, due toComplementary Therapies: This is a notifiable
heart failure), endocarditis (inflammation indisease in the United Kingdom. Many
the inner layer of heart muscle, thecomplementary therapies such as healing,
endocardium), swelling of head, neck & chestReiki and massage will help with supportive
(oedema, due to heart failure), and cyanosisnursing care in cases likely to recover (and
(blue colour due to lack of oxygen in thein countries where the animals will not be
blood) of mucous membranes. petechiae (redput down). Reiki and spiritual healing can be
specks of blood where it is leaving theextremely useful for both animal and owner
smallest blood vessels) may be evident on thewhen  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 cCombinationwith 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  daysto be found, the management is likely to be
similar to that of Foot and Mouth Disease.



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