Changes

=Equine/Asinine herpes virus infections=

=Equine/Asinine herpes virus infections=

There are a number of [[Herpesviridae|herpes viruses]] which have been isolated from donkeys. These include EHV-1 and 4, and also AHV-1, 2 and 3. The genetic sequence of donkey herpes viruses shows a number of differences to the horse (Ficorelli ''et al'', 1995). However, the diseases due to these viruses mirror those in the horse, namely, respiratory signs, neurological signs, abortion and coital exanthema  lesions.

There are a number of [[Herpesviridae|herpes viruses]] which have been isolated from donkeys. These include EHV-1 and 4, and also AHV-1, 2 and 3. The genetic sequence of donkey herpes viruses shows a number of differences to the horse (Ficorilli ''et al'', 1995). However, the diseases due to these viruses mirror those in the horse, namely, respiratory signs, neurological signs, abortion and coital exanthema  lesions.

==Clinical Signs==

==Clinical Signs==

Within 48 hours of the onset of infection, when the donkey is still pyrexic, '''nasopharyngeal swabs''' are used to collect respiratory secretions from the back of the nasopharynx. The swabs are placed in a specially prepared transport medium, such as supplied by [http://www.aht.org.uk/ The Animal Health Trust]. It is preferable to ask for foal or small pony swabs as the adult horse nasopharyngeal swabs are too large to fit up the narrow ventral meatus of the donkey.

Within 48 hours of the onset of infection, when the donkey is still pyrexic, '''nasopharyngeal swabs''' are used to collect respiratory secretions from the back of the nasopharynx. The swabs are placed in a specially prepared transport medium, such as supplied by [http://www.aht.org.uk/ The Animal Health Trust]. It is preferable to ask for foal or small pony swabs as the adult horse nasopharyngeal swabs are too large to fit up the narrow ventral meatus of the donkey.

===Serology===

===Serology===

Vaccination of horses can be used to reduce the severity and lessen the spread of herpes virus infection within susceptible populations. Vaccines are available which contain inactivated EHV-1 and -4 to protect against respiratory and abortifacient strains of the virus. There is no specific information about the use of such vaccinations in the donkey, and the decision to implement a vaccination programme needs to be based on an assessment of individual risk.

Vaccination of horses can be used to reduce the severity and lessen the spread of herpes virus infection within susceptible populations. Vaccines are available which contain inactivated EHV-1 and -4 to protect against respiratory and abortifacient strains of the virus. There is no specific information about the use of such vaccinations in the donkey, and the decision to implement a vaccination programme needs to be based on an assessment of individual risk.

==References==

==References==