Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

 

AHS is a non-contagious arthropod-borne disease of equidae. The causal agent is an [[African Horse Sickness|orbivirus]] existing in nine serotypes. The occurrence of AHS is both cyclical and seasonal and dependent on the vector, usually [[Biting Flies#Ceratopogonidae|''Culicoides'']]. Equine encephalosis, caused by a related orbivirus, follows a similar distribution and epidemiology to African Horse Sickness and can present with similar signs.

AHS is a non-contagious arthropod-borne disease of equidae. The causal agent is an [[African Horse Sickness|orbivirus]] existing in nine serotypes. The occurrence of AHS is both cyclical and seasonal and dependent on the vector, usually [[Ceratopogonidae|''Culicoides'']]. Equine encephalosis, caused by a related orbivirus, follows a similar distribution and epidemiology to African Horse Sickness and can present with similar signs.

AHS is endemic in the sub-Saharan region and certain parts of South Africa, where severe epidemics occur in naïve horse  populations (Lord ''et al.'', 2002; Coetzer & Guthrie, 2004). AHS occasionally occurs as outbreaks in North Africa, intermittently spreading to the Mediterranean area and the Middle East.

AHS is endemic in the sub-Saharan region and certain parts of South Africa, where severe epidemics occur in naïve horse  populations (Lord ''et al.'', 2002; Coetzer & Guthrie, 2004). AHS occasionally occurs as outbreaks in North Africa, intermittently spreading to the Mediterranean area and the Middle East.

* '''Virus isolation''' is possible during febrile stages and for a period after symptomatic or asymptomatic infection

* '''Virus isolation''' is possible during febrile stages and for a period after symptomatic or asymptomatic infection

* '''Serological tests''', that is, [[ELISA testing|enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]] or [[Complement fixation|complement fixation test (CFT)]]

* '''Serological tests''', that is, [[ELISA testing|enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)]] or [[Complement Fixation|complement fixation test (CFT)]]

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

** Various vaccines are commercially available

** Various vaccines are commercially available

** Vector control ([[Ectoparasiticides#Insecticides|insecticides]] and repellents)

** Vector control ([[Ectoparasiticides#Insecticides|insecticides]] and repellents)

==References==

==References==

* Portas, M., Boinas, F.S., Oliveira, J., Sousa, E., and Rawlings, P. (1999). ‘African Horse Sickness in Portugal: A successful eradication programme’. ''Epidemiology and Infection 123''(2). pp 337-346.

* Portas, M., Boinas, F.S., Oliveira, J., Sousa, E., and Rawlings, P. (1999). ‘African Horse Sickness in Portugal: A successful eradication programme’. ''Epidemiology and Infection 123''(2). pp 337-346.

* Wittman, E., Baylis, M. (2000), ‘Climate change: effects on culicoides-transmitted viruses and implication for the UK’. ''Vet.J. 160''(2). pp 87-89.

* Wittman, E., Baylis, M. (2000), ‘Climate change: effects on culicoides-transmitted viruses and implication for the UK’. ''Vet.J. 160''(2). pp 87-89.