Inf. diseases II - Horses 2/2 Flashcards
Equine influenza is a contagious disease of horses, caused by Influenzavirus A, and is characterized by
acute respiratory disease.
Causative agent of Equine influenza.
genus, family, DNA-type
Agent: Influenzavirus A
genus Alphainfluenzavirus
Family Orthomyxoviridae
RNA virus
Subtypes of equine influenza virus.
Two subtypes
H7N7 (equine virus 1) – more historical
H3N8 (equine virus 2) (more common) – which has two lineages: Eurasian and American.
- Eurasian lineage is uncommon
- American lineage comprised of 3:
classical American lineage,
the Florida sublineage and
the South American sublineage.
The Florida sublineage widespread:
- Clade 1 predominant in North America
- Clade 2 in Europe
Equine influenza viruses appear to change more slowly than
human influenza A viruses or swine influenza viruses.
Equine influenza virus survival.
Survives on wet surfaces for 72h and dry surfaces for 48h.
Susceptible to a wide variety of disinfectants.
Host range of EIV?
More severe in?
equine influenza virus
horses and other Equidae
Disease may be more severe in donkeys and mules.
Humans might be susceptible but there is no evidence of recent natural infections.
Epidemiology of EIV.
Most common in fall and winter.
More common in younger horses (yearlings, ages 2-3 years).
Rare in foals (maternal immunity 3-6 months).
More severe cases seen in pregnant mares close to parturition.
Listed dz
Morbidity of EIV.
high (60-90%)
Mortality of EIV.
low (<1%)
Transmission of EIV.
Excretion: nasal discharge
Virus shedding 48h after exposure; shedding for 6-7 days.
Direct contact (droplets)
Aerosols
Fomites
Route: respiratory; Ocular too maybe.
IP of EIV
IP: 1-3 days
Clinical signs of EIV.
Acute respiratory disease:
Begins with high fever
Deep, dry, often paroxysmal cough; nasal discharge etc.
Complications: secondary bacterial infections
More rare: neurological signs, myocarditis
Animals with partial immunity – milder, atypical infection.
Young foals without maternal antibodies: severe viral pneumonia.
Recovery within 1-3 weeks
Up to 6 months in severely affected animals
Post mortem signs of EIV.
Lung consolidation and/or pneumonia.
Upper respiratory tract involvement alone in milder cases.
Material for diagnosis of EIV.
Nasal swabs
Lab analyses for diagnosis of EIV.
Virus isolation
PCR or antigens (ELISA)
Serology (ELISA, hemagglutination inhibition)
Tx of EIV.
Tx: supportive care and rest
ABs if secondary bacterial infections
Prevention & control of EIV.
Biosecurity measures to minimize the spread!
Vaccination – does not always prevent infections or viral shedding, but the dz is usually milder and virus shedding may be decreased.
Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is a contagious disease of equids, caused by arterivirus, and is characterized by
fever, vascular lesions and edema.
Causative agent of Equine arteritis.
genus, family, DNA type
Equine arteritis virus (EAV)
Genus Arterivirus,
family Arteriviridae
RNA virus
One serotype
Survival of EAV.
Can remain viable for 2-3 days in 37-38°C, and <75 days in 4-8°C.
Semen remains infectious after freezing!
Sensitive to sunlight and low humidity.
Readily inactivated by detergents, common disinfectants and lipid solvents.
Host range of Equine arteritis.
equids
Illness occurs mostly among horses and ponies.
Reported in horses, ponies, donkeys and zebras.
Epidemiology of Equine arteritis.
Reported in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.
Common among horses in continental Europe.
Absent from Iceland and Japan.
In Europe, seroprevalence is particularly high among Warmbloods.
In U.S. – Standardbreds.
Notifiable dz
Morbidity & mortality of Equine arteritis.
Abortion rate varies: <10% - 60%
Deaths are rare in healthy adults; young foals more likely to die.
Transmission of EAV.
Venereal transmission
Aerosol transmission
Direct contact
Fomites
Route: venereal or respiratory
Excretion of EAV.
Excretion:
respiratory secretions;
urine and feces (during acute stage) and
in reproductive tract (acutely infected mares; acutely/chronically infected stallions), semen.
Stallions can become carriers! At which point virus is ONLY found in semen and in no other bodily fluids.
IP of EAV.
2 days to 2 weeks
Venereal transmission: infection occurs generally in one week.