Getah Virus: Significance as an Equine Pathogen

A 2014 outbreak at a Japanese racing stable re-awakened awareness of Getah virus and its threat to horses.
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An outbreak of illness at a Japanese racing stable in the latter half of 2014 re-awakened awareness of Getah virus and its potential as an equine pathogen.

The first indication that the virus could cause illness in horses was the widespread occurrence of a disease syndrome among racehorses at two training centers in Japan in 1978. Subsequently, the virus was implicated in a clinically similar disease outbreak on a Thoroughbred breeding farm in India during 1990.

Getah virus is a mosquito-borne arbovirus that is a member of the genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae. First isolated from mosquito pools collected in Sarawak (Malaysia) between 1968 and 1970, Getah or one of its antigenically related viruses, can be found over a wide geographic range extending from Eurasia to Australia. Results of serologic surveys have confirmed infection in humans and a wide diversity of domestic and wildlife animal species wherever the virus is present. Serologic evidence of Getah virus activity in horses in Japan can be traced back to 1961. Subsequent studies have shown that the infection was widespread in equine populations throughout that country. Notwithstanding this fact, however, disease events caused by Getah virus have been very infrequent.

Naturally occurring disease caused by Getah virus has only been reported in horses and in swine. While the vast majority of primary infections in horses are asymptomatic, on occasion the virus can give rise to extensive outbreaks of mild illness characterized by fever, anorexia, serous nasal discharge, hind limb edema, stiff gait, scrotal edema, submandibular lymphadenopathy, and urticarial skin rash. Affected horses may develop some or all of these clinical signs. Regardless of severity, the disease is non-fatal and complete clinical recovery occurs within 7 to 14 days. Symptomatic treatment is seldom indicated

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