African Horse Sickness Cases in South Africa

At least six African horse sickness (AHS) cases have been logged recently in the Eastern and Western Capes of South Africa, according to ProMED web site posts in early April. Last week, South African media outlets reported an outbreak of the

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At least six African horse sickness (AHS) cases have been logged recently in the Eastern and Western Capes of South Africa, according to ProMED web site posts in early April. Last week, South African media outlets reported an outbreak of the deadly disease in the KwaZulu-Natal province, which borders the northeast of the Eastern Cape, but it is unclear how many horses are affected.


African horse sickness is spread by mosquito-like insects called midges. Affected animals can show clinical signs ranging from pulmonary distress to heart failure, and the disease is often fatal. Owners are encouraged to vaccinate their horses against the disease. Currently, AHS is contained to its namesake continent where nine serotypes of the disease circulate. (For more information on AHS, visit www.TheHorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?id=5683.)


The virus is suspected to have been introduced to Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape by horses transported from northern South Africa, where AHS serotypes 5 and 7 are circulating. Serotype 5 was isolated in the two cases in that area.


At least four equine deaths due to AHS serotype 2 occurred on a game farm in the Eastern Cape. Dr. G.H. Gerdes of the OIE (Office International des Epizooties) Reference Laboratory for AHS at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, said in a ProMED post, “This particular serotype (serotype 2) has been present in the Eastern Cape since 2001 and was isolated in the 2003, 2004, and 2005 seasons

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Written by:

Stephanie L. Church, Editorial Director, grew up riding and caring for her family’s horses in Central Virginia and received a B.A. in journalism and equestrian studies from Averett University. She joined The Horse in 1999 and has led the editorial team since 2010. A 4-H and Pony Club graduate, she enjoys dressage, eventing, and trail riding with her former graded-stakes-winning Thoroughbred gelding, It Happened Again (“Happy”). Stephanie and Happy are based in Lexington, Kentucky.

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