/ 8 February 2008

African horse sickness reported in E Cape

Parts of the Eastern Cape are experiencing an outbreak of African horse sickness (AHS), which led to the death of 11 horses in the past six weeks, said the province’s department of agriculture on Friday.

”Fifteen cases have been reported to state veterinarians over the past six weeks alone, mainly in the Ndlambe (Port Alfred) and Makana (Grahamstown) areas.

”Of these, 11 horses have died,” said manager of Animal Disease Surveillance Unit and Export Establishments, Dr Ivan Lwanga-Iga.

It was suspected that this was a conservative figure as not all cases were reported to the appropriate authorities, despite the fact that AHS was a controlled disease and horse owners should, by law, notify the local state veterinarian of suspected cases.

The sickness is transmitted by the bite of the Culicoides midge, which becomes infected when feeding on infected animals.

Lwanga-Iga said it was the responsibility of owners to vaccinate their horses against AHS.

”Even inoculated horses can be infected, but the vaccinations do provide some protection. Restrictions on the movement of horses may have to be imposed in the affected areas.”

The department said AHS was at its worst in warm, rainy conditions when midges were active and plentiful.

It recommended that horse owners use fly repellents, avoid moist areas where midges breed and refrain from moving their horses unnecessarily during outbreaks. — Sapa