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INTERNATIONAL BREEDERS’ MEETING
INTERNATIONAL COLLATING CENTRE
Animal Health Trust
Information Exchange on Infectious Equine Disease
Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7UU, England
Telephone: + 44 (0) 1638 751000 extension 1266 or 1240
Fax: + 44 (0) 1638 555659
Website: www.aht.org.uk/icc/linksicc.html
---------------------------------------PLEASE CONTACT RICHARD NEWTON OR MAIRE O’BRIEN ON
THE ABOVE NUMBERS, OR E-MAIL
[email protected] TO SUBMIT REPORTING INFORMATION
Please note that the Australian reports are being reported one quarter in arrears behind the quarter
being reported. Here we provide reports for the FIRST QUARTER of 2014 for Australia. SECOND
QUARTER reports for 2014 for other countries are provided after this in the usual way
REPORT FOR FIRST QUARTER 2014 FROM AUSTRALIA
Compiled by Animal Health Australia (AHA)
Animal Health Surveillance Quarterly (AHSQ)
http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/elibrary
STATE AND TERRITORY REPORTS
In Australia, the states and territories are responsible for animal disease control within their borders.
National animal health programs are developed through consultation with the Animal Health Committee
and are managed by Animal Health Australia.
QUEENSLAND
Contributed by Greg Williamson, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Queensland
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Hendra virus in a horse at Bundaberg
During the quarter, 92 equine submissions for Hendra virus (HeV) disease investigation were made to
Queensland's Biosecurity Science Laboratory. A further 16 submissions were made for health testing to
exclude HeV in clinically well horses before interstate or international movement, movement to stud, or
veterinary procedures that posed a high risk of disease transmission. There was one incident of HeV
infection, at a property in the Bundaberg Regional Council. In mid-March, a five-year-old quarterhorse
mare was initially off food and pyrexic (41 °C). Despite symptomatic treatment, it deteriorated over three
days, developing respiratory signs (tachypnoea) and injected gums, leading to euthanasia. There was a
frothy postmortem nasal discharge. Horses on the property were not vaccinated against HeV.
Several dogs and unvaccinated horses that were assessed as having had potentially infectious contact with
the infected horse on the same property and a neighbouring property were quarantined, monitored and
tested. These animals remained clinically well, and three rounds of PCR and serological tests were
negative for HeV. The quarantines were lifted in mid-April. All other HeV investigations during the
quarter were negative.
It is important that veterinarians and horse owners consider HeV infection and take appropriate
precautions for any sick horse, even if signs are vague or mild. Veterinarians should ensure that
appropriate infection control measures (including personal protective equipment) are used when dealing
with sick horses where HeV infection may be involved. Veterinarians should also provide information to
horse owners to ensure their personal safety and animal biosecurity while waiting for HeV diagnostic test
results.
Advice for veterinarians and horse owners for dealing with and preventing HeV in horses is available
from www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au.
Vaccination is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of HeV infection in horses. Horse
owners are advised to seek veterinary advice about vaccinating their horses.
TASMANIA
Contributed by Mary Lou Conway, Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment,
Tasmania
Hendra virus ruled out
A case of acute febrile disease in a seven-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was investigated in the
Geeveston district, south of Hobart, as part of an ongoing surveillance project in horses. The horse had a
history of chronic ill-thrift since retiring from racing two years earlier, despite supplementation and
regular worming. However, his condition had improved somewhat over the past three months.
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
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Two days before euthanasia, the horse had signs consistent with a mild upper respiratory tract infection.
The horse’s condition deteriorated, despite nursing. He was examined by a private veterinarian and found
to be suffering from acute respiratory distress, and was euthanased on welfare grounds after blood
samples were collected. White, frothy nasal discharge was observed after euthanasia. Three other horses
on the property were healthy at the time of the event.
Since there was no history of contact with horses recently introduced from mainland Australia, and since
Tasmania does not have an endemic flying fox population, the risk of Hendra virus was considered very
low. A limited necropsy was therefore conducted by departmental staff to establish the primary
abnormality.
Pleuropneumonia and excessive pericardial fluid were observed on gross pathology. All other organs
appeared normal. There was no evidence of vasculitis. Hendra virus was excluded on PCR testing at the
CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory. A necrotising alveolitis and myocarditis of unknown cause
were diagnosed on histology. The pathology was consistent with viraemia, bacteraemia or circulating
toxins such as polyether ionophores. At the time, no toxic plants were found, and stockfeeds on the
property did not include monensin - a common type of polyether ionophore - in their contents lists. Given
the ill-thrift history, this may have been the culmination of an ongoing cardiac abnormality.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Contributed by Jamie Finkelstein, Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia
Investigation of neurological signs - Hendra virus excluded
In February 2014, DAFWA was notified by a private veterinarian in the Derby–West Kimberley region of
a horse showing clinical signs suggestive of Hendra virus infection, including blood-tinged nasal
discharge, muscular fasciculations and ataxia. Hendra virus infection has never occurred in Western
Australia.
Hendra virus infection was thought to be possible because of:

critical aspects of the history, which revealed that the affected horse had shown no clinical signs
the preceding night, but within 12 hours developed an elevated temperature, rapidly deteriorated
and became recumbent, and then died

identification of a number of risk factors for exposure to Hendra virus, including mango trees in
paddocks and a recent history of fruit bats on the property.
Minimally invasive samples were taken and submitted to CSIRO-AAHL for Hendra virus exclusion.
While the results were pending, DAFWA implemented a number of risk mitigation measures, including
isolating the in-contact horse and quarantining the property. Several people had potentially had close
contact with the horse in the preceding days. The Western Australian Department of Health was notified,
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
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to provide assistance to these people while they waited for laboratory results from the horse. Laboratory
testing was negative for Hendra virus. No other diagnosis was made based on the minimal sample set.
DAFWA continues to advise the horse industry on the risk factors for Hendra virus infection and of the
measures that can be implemented on properties to minimise the likelihood of introduction of the disease.
NEW SOUTH WALES - Nothing to report
VICTORIA - Nothing to report
SOUTH AUSTRALIA - Nothing to report
NORTHERN TERRITORY - Nothing to report
REPORT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER 2014
ARGENTINA
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) Abortion
A single case of EHV-1 abortion in a Thoroughbred mare was reported on 23rd June 2014 with diagnosis
confirmed by Virology Institute, INTA Castelar. The aborting mare shared a paddock with 19 other
pregnant mares, which were all in the last trimester of gestation but with no further abortions noted to
date. No premonitory signs, sequelae or neurological signs were observed. EHV-1 infection was
confirmed by discriminative real time PCR, with the infecting strain typed as the non-neuropathogenic
variant (A2254/N752).
AUSTRALIA
As reported above, the FIRST quarter 2014 report for Australia is provided above.
CANADA
Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA)
Between 1st April 2014 and 30th June 2014, there have been a total of 26 EIA positive equines identified
in the province of Saskatchewan on 10 separate premises. Two of the 10 premises were part of ongoing
2014 disease investigations. Four of the 10 premises had been affected in previous years; two in 2011
and two in 2012. All EIA infections were confirmed on the basis of Agar Gel Immuno Diffusion (AGID;
Coggins) serology.
CHILE
Regret no report received.
DENMARK
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)
Two outbreaks of strangles were reported during the second quarter in riding stables near Copenhagen.
The first occurrence was reported at the end of April with the last case reported at the end of June. The
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
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outbreaks on the two premises have involved between 50 and 100 horses, of which 25% are reported to
have been affected. Positive diagnoses were made by agent isolation.
FRANCE
(Information supplied via the RESPE, the French network for epidemiosurveillance of equine diseases)
Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) Abortion
Five outbreaks of EHV-1 abortion have been confirmed this quarter in Calvados, Doubs, Orne, Bas-Rhin
and Tarn-et-Garonne and were known to involve Thoroughbreds in one outbreak and French Saddlebreds
in another. Positive diagnoses were made by PCR on fetal organs or placentae.
Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) Neurological Disease
On 16th May 2014, one outbreak of EHV-1 neurological disease was confirmed in Vendée. The affected
horse was an unvaccinated mare used in a riding school that presented with clinical signs of weariness,
ataxia and stiffness. Positive diagnosis was made by PCR on blood.
Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) Respiratory Disease
Nine outbreaks of EHV-1 respiratory diseases have been confirmed in Calvados, Eure-et-Loir, Ille-etVilaine, Isère, Loire-Atlantique and Oise and were known to involve French Trotters in two outbreaks
and French Saddlebreds in another two outbreaks. Affected horses showed a variety of clinical signs
including fever, nasal discharge, coughing, respiratory syndrome and dyspnoea. Positive diagnoses were
made by PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs or tracheal washes.
Equine Influenza (EI)
Two outbreaks of EI have been confirmed in Seine-et-Marne, including one involving a Shetland pony
imported from The Netherlands. Affected animals showed a variety of clinical signs including fever,
nasal discharge and coughing. Positive diagnoses were made by PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs.
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
A single subclinical case of EVA was diagnosed by PCR in the semen of an eight year-old Holstein on a
premises in Aveyron.
Piroplasmosis
Remains endemic in France.
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)
Thirteen outbreaks of strangles have been reported this quarter Calvados, Hérault, Indre-et-Loire, Lot,
Maine-et-Loire, Manche, Orne, Tarn-et-Garonne, Essonne and Val-de-Marne and involved French
Trotters in three outbreaks and in Thoroughbreds, French Saddlebreds, Saddlebreds and Arab, each on
individual premises. Affected horses showed clinical signs that included lymphadenopathy, fever, nasal
discharge coughing and weariness. Positive diagnoses were made by PCR on nasopharyngeal swabs or
purulent nasal discharge samples.
GERMANY
Results received from Labor Dr Boese GmBh – a HBLB CEMO approved laboratory
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)
CEM was confirmed in 11 non-Thoroughbreds (five stallions and six mares) on 10 premises with
diagnoses by bacterial isolation of Taylorella equigenitalis and by PCR on genital swabs.
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
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Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1)
Five cases of EHV-1 associated disease were confirmed on five premises. These included a single case of
abortion with diagnosis by PCR on uterine discharge and lung puncture aspirate; a single case of a weak
non-viable foal with diagnosis by PCR on lung puncture aspirate; a single case of fever and ataxia with
diagnosis by PCR on nasopharyngeal swab involving a non-neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 and two
cases with no clinical description available with diagnoses confirmed by PCR on nasopharyngeal swab
and both involving non-neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1.
Equine Herpes Virus-4 (EHV-4) Respiratory Disease
Respiratory disease due to EHV-4 infection was confirmed in five horses on five premises by PCR on
nasal swabs.
Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA)
Equine viral Arteritis (EVA) was confirmed in one non-Thoroughbred stallion with the positive diagnosis
made by PCR on a semen sample. No further details are currently available.
Salmonella spp.
Salmonella was confirmed in a four-year-old gelding with the positive diagnosis made by bacterial
culture and PCR on faecal samples.
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)
Strangles was confirmed in seven horses on five separate premises. No clinical descriptions were
available, although strangles had been suspected in all cases. Four cases were diagnosed by bacterial
culture and PCR on nasal swabs; two cases were diagnosed by bacterial culture and PCR on swabs from
abscess material and one further case was confirmed by bacterial culture and PCR on a swab taken from a
guttural pouch wash.
Equine Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum)
A single case of anaplasmosis was confirmed with diagnosis by PCR on EDTA whole blood.
HONG KONG
Confirmed nothing to report.
IRELAND (Republic of)
Regret no report received.
ITALY
Regret no report received.
JAPAN
Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1) Neonatal Foal Death
A single case of EHV-1 neonatal foal death in a non-vaccinated Thoroughbred was confirmed on 1st May
2014. The confirming laboratory was Hokkaido Hidaka Livestock Hygiene Service Centre with diagnoses
by agent isolation.
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
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Tetanus
A single case of tetanus in a non-vaccinated Thoroughbred that was euthanased was confirmed on 3rd
April 2014. The clinical diagnosis was made by the Hokkaido Hidaka Livestock Hygiene Service Centre.
NEW ZEALAND
Confirmed nothing to report.
SINGAPORE
Confirmed nothing to report.
SOUTH AFRICA
Confirmed nothing to report.
SOUTH KOREA
Confirmed nothing to report.
SPAIN
Regret no report received.
SWEDEN
Regret no report received.
SWITZERLAND
Equine Anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum)
Two separate cases of anaplasmosis were reported in April and June of the first quarter, with diagnoses
made by agent isolation.
Salmonellosis
A single case of Salmonella was reported on 25th May 2014 with diagnosis made by agent isolation.
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)
Two separate outbreaks of strangles affecting three horses were reported in April and May of the first
quarter, with diagnoses made by agent isolation.
TURKEY
Regret no report received.
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)
Piroplasmosis (Theileria equi and Babesia caballi)
Piroplasmosis is endemic in the UAE with clinical cases reported periodically. The confirming laboratory
is Central Veterinary Research Laboratory Dubai using serology and agent isolation.
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)
The strangles outbreak which commenced on 28th December 2013 is now considered resolved. In all, 77
horses on nine premises were affected. However, two more cases were detected in horses in quarantine in
a shipment from the USA. The confirming laboratory was Central Veterinary Research Laboratory Dubai
by serology and agent isolation.
UNITED KINGDOM
Please note that all UK cases and outbreaks have already been notified via interim reports during the third
quarter and since.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Adenovirus Infection
A single case of adenovirus infection was confirmed in a foal. No further details are available.
Clostridial enteritis
Isolated cases of enteritis associated with Clostridium difficile, Toxin A gene (two cases), and C. difficile,
Toxin B gene (two cases) were recorded. Also, C. perfringens Type A enterotoxemia was diagnosed in
eight foals.
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)
In late June, EIA was diagnosed in a horse on a premises in Wyoming. The infected animal was
euthanased. Initial testing of all other equids on the affected and adjacent premises has not detected any
additional cases.
Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE)
A total of 13 equine cases of EEE have been confirmed during the second quarter. Twelve cases were
confirmed in Florida and one case in Georgia.
Equine Herpes Virus (EHV)
There continues to be serological evidence of circulation of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in the US equid
population. A total of seven isolated cases of EHV associated abortion were known to have occurred, all
in Kentucky. The second quarter of 2014 saw a significant number of outbreaks of EHV-1 neurological
disease involving premises in Wisconsin (one case), Virginia (one case), N. Dakota (one case),
Pennsylvania (two cases), Kansas (one case), S. Dakota (one case), Colorado (two cases) and
Massachusetts (one case). The vast majority of cases of the disease were associated with nonneuropathogenic strains of the A2254 genotype of EHV-1. Quarter horses were primarily involved with
many of the cases linked to exposure at barrel racing events.
Equine Herpes Virus-3 (EHV-3) Coital exanthema)
EHV-3 infection was confirmed in two horses in Kentucky.
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
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Equine Herpes Virus-2 (EHV-2) and Equine Herpes Virus-5 (EHV-5)
A limited number of cases of infection with EHV-2 (six in Kentucky and one in Wisconsin), and EHV-5
(one in Kentucky) were confirmed during the second quarter of 2014.
Equine Influenza (EI)
Equine influenza is endemic in the USA, with sporadic outbreaks occurring not all of which are reported.
An outbreak was confirmed in Texas during the second quarter of 2014.
Equine Piroplasmosis (EP)
The national EP situation continues to be monitored by the USDA, APHIS, VS. A number of additional
cases of Theileria equi infection were identified in California, Florida and Texas. All horses involved
were among high-risk groups of Quarter horse racehorses especially engaged in non-sanctioned racing,
previous imports and illegal imports from Mexico. California confirmed one clinical case, positive for EP
and equine infectious anemia (EIA), at a bushtrack premises and two additional EP positive horses and a
seropositive stallion on a second premises. The history indicated introduction of horses from Mexico.
Florida reported three EP positive horses, all imported animals and Texas confirmed infection in two
horses at a bushtrack that were probablyu imported illegally from Mexico.
Nocardioform placentitis and abortion
A single case of abortion associated with Amycolatopsis spp infection was confirmed in Kentucky.
Rhodococcus equi
Pneumonia due to Rhodococcus equi is an endemic disease in the US equine population. While the
disease is underreported, documented outbreaks have occurred in Kentucky.
Salmonellosis
A limited number of outbreaks of Salmonella were reported, seven associated with strains of Group B
Salmonella spp, and two with Group C1 strains.
Strangles (Streptococcus equi)
Strangles is endemic in the USA, with cases/outbreaks reported from at least 15 states. The number of
affected premises and horses that were documented were 38 and 66, respectively. Seven confirmed
outbreaks involved multiple cases of the diseases on individual premises in Connecticut, Kentucky, N.
Carolina, S. Carolina and New York.
Vesicular Stomatitis (VS)
Vesicular stomatitis was confirmed on 23rd May, 2014 in Southeast Texas. Infection with the New
Jersey serotype of the virus was diagnosed in two horses on a premises in Kinney County. Up to end of
the second quarter of 2014, a total of seven affected premises have been identified, all in Texas. All of
the cases to date have been in horses located on premises in four countries within the state.
West Nile Encephalitis (WNE)
One case of WNE has been documented so far in 2014. It occurred in Alabama.
VENEZUALA
Regret no report received.
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.
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REGARDS
INTERNATIONAL COLLATING CENTRE (Total pages = 10)
This report is based on information received by the Animal Health Trust, Registered Charity Number 209642, which cannot accept any responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.