African horse sickness is a severe, viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, causing fever, respiratory distress, and swelling in horses, often leading to high mortality.

African Horse Sickness

This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly.

African Horse Sickness (AHS) is a highly infectious but non-contagious viral disease affecting horses, mules, and donkeys, caused by the African Horse Sickness Virus (AHSV). It is primarily transmitted by Culicoides biting midges and is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa.
 
The disease presents in four forms: pulmonary, cardiac, mixed, and horse sickness fever, with symptoms ranging from severe respiratory distress and swelling to mild fever and swelling around the eyes. The pulmonary and mixed forms have particularly high mortality rates.

Symptoms

  • Lameness
  • Difficulty Standing
  • Balance Issues
  • Fainting
  • Swollen Eyes
  • Eye Discharge
  • Nasal Discharge
  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Yellow Gums
  • Despression

Exclusive in

  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Near East
  • Middle East
  • India
  • Iberian Peninsula
  • Morocco
  • Pakistan
  • Thailand
  • Malaysia

Common in

  • Stagnant Water

Treatment

There is no specific antiviral treatment for African Horse Sickness; management focuses on supportive care, including fluid therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and ensuring a stress-free environment. Early detection and prompt veterinary care are crucial, but the prognosis for severely affected animals is often poor.

Prevention

Preventing African Horse Sickness involves regular vaccination, especially in endemic areas, to protect against multiple serotypes of the virus. Vector control measures, such as using insect repellents, insect-proof stabling, and eliminating standing water to reduce breeding sites for Culicoides midges, are essential. Additionally, implementing movement restrictions and quarantine measures for new or potentially exposed animals, along with vigilant monitoring and reporting of symptoms, can help control and prevent the spread of the disease.

How Happie can help you manage your horse's health

Digital health management offers numerous benefits in modern equine healthcare.

With the Happie Horse App, you can track symptom patterns and body values, such as Temperature, Pulse and Respiration. Allowing you to notice abnormal changes in body and behaviour early on, leading to more successful treatments.

The Happie symptom checker allows you to add all of your horse's abnormal symptoms in order to present potential causes and diseases.

Google Play
App Store

Related articles

Borna disease in horses is a viral infection affecting the central nervous system, causing neurological symptoms and potential fatality.
Neurological

Borna Disease

Borna Disease This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly. Borna Disease, caused by the Borna

Colitis-X is a severe, often fatal gastrointestinal disease in horses characterized by sudden onset of colitis and rapid deterioration, with an unknown exact cause.
Diseases

Colitis-X in Horses

This disease is life-threatening and should be treated by a veterinarian swiftly.

Colitis-X is a severe, often fatal gastrointestinal disease in horses characterized by sudden onset of colitis and rapid deterioration, with an unknown exact cause.

Ringworm in horses is a contagious fungal infection causing circular, hairless patches on the skin, often accompanied by itching and inflammation.
Skin and Coat

Ringworm in Horses

Ringworm in Horses Seek veterinary advice before applying any treatment. Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection, which can not