Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
African horse sickness in Portugal: a successful eradication programme.
- Journal:
- Epidemiology and infection
- Year:
- 1999
- Authors:
- Portas, M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Serviç
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In autumn 1989, African horse sickness (AHS), a serious viral disease affecting horses, was first found in southern Portugal after outbreaks in Spain. To combat this, the Central Veterinary Services worked with private organizations to create an eradication plan that included setting up four sanitary zones and starting a vaccination campaign on October 6. Over time, 170,000 horses, donkeys, and mules were vaccinated, but there were still 137 outbreaks on 104 farms, leading to the death or slaughter of 206 animals, mostly horses. Despite these challenges, after the vaccination program ended in December 1991, Portugal was declared free of AHS, with the total cost of the eradication effort being about $1.95 million.
Abstract
African horse sickness (AHS) was diagnosed for the first time in southern Portugal in autumn 1989, following outbreaks in Spain. AHS virus presence was confirmed by virus isolation and serotyping. An eradication campaign with four sanitary zones was set up by Central Veterinary Services in close collaboration with private organizations. Vaccination began on 6 October. In February 1990, vaccination was extended to all Portuguese equines (170000 animals). There were 137 outbreaks on 104 farms: 206 of the equidae present died (16%) or were slaughtered (14%); 81.5% were horses, 10.7% were donkeys and 7.8% were mules. Clinical AHS occurred more frequently in horses than donkeys and mules. In the vaccinated population, 82 animals (62.2% horses and 37.8% mules and donkeys), died or were slaughtered due to suspected or confirmed AHS. One year after ending vaccination, December 1991, Portugal was declared free of AHS. Cost of eradication was US$1955513 (US$11.5/Portuguese equine).
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10579455/