AFRICAN HORSE SICKNESS (AHS)

exp date isn't null, but text field is

Causative Agent(s)

This is a reportable disease of horses in Nigeria by the WOAH (OIE). An arthropod borne virus of the Orbivirus genus belonging to the Family Reoviridae with 9 serotypes. It is spread by biting midges (Culicoides spp.)

Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology

Fever, difficulty in breathing, coughing, sneezing, frothy discharges from the nostrils. Death can occur within few hours after onset and can reach 95%. It occur mainly during rainy season when the midges are plenty

 

Diagnostic Considerations

By virological methods such as Viral isolation from blood, PCR, Antigen capture ELISA, Immunofluorescence of infected tissues

 

Management and Treatment

Quarantine during outbreak.

Vector control by destruction of insect vector habitat using insecticides. Vaccination using polyvalent vaccine.

Supportive therapy to improve cardiac and pulmonary systems