Name: African Horse Sickness, ELISA
Brand: Equigerminal
Price: 30.75 EUR

Product form

African Horse Sickness, ELISA

Pathogen test The ELISA test detects antibodies to the African Horse Sickness Virus (AHSV). Sample 5 mL - blood - serum tube Turnaround...

€30.75

Sample Requirements

5 mL - blood - serum tube

Send your sample by regular mail or express delivery to:

Equigerminal Lab HIESE
Rua da Quinta do Sobreiro Nº25
3230-343 Penela, Portugal

Turnaround Time

2 to 5 working days

About the test

The ELISA test detects antibodies against the African Horse Sickness Virus (AHSV).

African Horse Sickness (AHS) is a severe viral disease affecting horses, donkeys and mules. It is characterised by fever and respiratory and/or cardiac disease and is associated with high mortality rates. Although primarily found in Africa, outbreaks have also occurred in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The disease does not affect humans.

Clinical signs

African Horse Sickness can cause respiratory (lung) disease, cardiac (heart) disease, or a cyclic fever. Death rates can be as high as 95% for some forms of the disease.

The pulmonary or respiratory form occurs rapidly (within days).

Signs of disease include fever, difficulty breathing, coughing, sweating, and frothy discharge from the nostrils. Death usually occurs within a few hours after illness is seen.

The cardiac form of the disease causes fever and swelling (edema) around the eyes, lips, cheeks, tongue, and neck. Death usually occurs due to heart failure.

Some affected animals may have both pulmonary and cardiac signs of disease.

Some animals may only develop a cyclic fever (high in the afternoon, gone in the morning). These animals may also have depression and a decreased appetite. Animals with this horse sickness fever form of AHS will typically recover.

Transmission

AHS virus cannot be transmitted directly from horse to horse (or directly between any equine animals).

Virus transmission between horses, donkeys and zebras occurs via small insect vectors known as midges (Culicoides species).

The virus can also be mechanically transmitted through transfusion of infected blood products or through unhygienic practices (e.g. use of contaminated surgical equipment or hypodermic needles).

It is unknown whether AHS can be transmitted by semen or ova from infected animals.

Dogs can become infected with AHS through eating meat from an infected horse, donkey or zebra.

Prevention

The best way to protect animals from AHS is to decrease their exposure to biting midges and other insects (e.g., mosquitoes and biting flies).

Stabling horses in insect-proof housing, particularly between dusk and dawn when the insects are most active, can help prevent exposure.

Insect repellents and insecticides may also be useful. Monitor your horse’s temperature. Horses with fevers should be examined by your veterinarian.

There is no comercial vaccine for any serotype of AHS currently available in Europe. A vaccine bank is being developed by the European Commission that will hold 100,000 doses of vaccine against seven different AHS serotypes. This vaccine will only be used in a strictly controlled manner in an emergency situation

Additional information

African Horse Sickness has not been reported in the United States.

The disease poses no risk to human health.