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VET VIEWPOINT...
WE VIEW THE OPINIONS OF OUR VETS ON THE TOPIC
ABOUT
A FUTURE LARGE SCALE DISEASE OUTBREAK
IN THE UK.
Andrew Robinson
BSc(Hons) BVMS MRCVS
Millcroft Veterinary Group
Richard Sutcliffe BVM&S MRCVS
Bishopton Veterinary Group
Following the recent widespread incursions
into the UK of Foot and Mouth Disease,
Blue Tongue and Schmallenberg we would
be very foolish to think that our horse
population is free from the risk of a future
widespread disease outbreak. Insect
vector-borne diseases such as West Nile
Virus and African Horse Sickness cause
very high mortality rates in horses and are
incredibly difficult to control once introduced.
In the USA, West Nile Virus has swept
across much of the country and caused
chaos in the horse population.
Last summer there were close encounters
when Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) and
Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) were both
identified in horses in the UK. Thanks to
the monitoring procedures we have in
place, fortunately both disease outbreaks
were contained.
The importation of horses and semen
represent a risk - even some areas of the
EU have high levels of endemic disease
which, if introduced to the UK, could be
catastrophic - we need to observe
importation rules carefully if these risks
are to be minimised.
Dominic Alexander BSc BVMS MRCVS
Belmont Veterinary Centre
We should be concerned about the
possibility of a large scale disease outbreak.
It could come in the form of a disease we
are familiar with, e.g. equine influenza (flu)
or a so called, ‘exotic’ disease; such as
African Horse Sickness or West Nile Virus.
These diseases are transmitted by the bites of
infected midges in a similar way that Blue
Tongue Virus and Schmallenberg Virus have
infected sheep and cattle in the UK.
With equine flu we can help protect our
horses, ponies and donkeys by correct
vaccination. We recently diagnosed flu in
an old pony that lived with three others.
The infection came from a newly introduced
unvaccinated yearling. The pony that
showed no ill health was fortunately routinely
vaccinated for flu and tetanus. Sadly, around
only thirty percent of the equine population
is vaccinated in the UK.
The best defence is to be vigilant.
Contact your vet immediately if you
notice any unusual signs of illness in
your horse.
SPRING 2013 ISSUE
EQUINE MATTERS
20
Over recent years we have seen the
increasing movement of horses worldwide
and the gradual reduction in border
controls and quarantine regulations.
Changes in environmental conditions
allow insects such as mosquitoes (that are
able to transmit diseases), to move over
long distances from tropical climates to
our country. I therefore think that it won't
be long before a new, exotic disease
hits our shores.
We have seen a similar scenario in other
species and this has led to ongoing
research programmes alongside the
continuing training of vets and veterinary
students. I am also aware that agencies
currently have in place rapid response
teams ready to implement control
measures for a disease outbreak in other
species. These groups rely on a number
of trained personnel familiar with the
handling and restraint of the relevant
animals in such a scenario. As yet this is
not the case in the equine world but, in
my opinion, would be a valuable tool
to implement in preparation for such a
disease outbreak.
Are you concerned about
a future large scale disease
outbreak in the UK?