Horse flu (H3N8) in Northern China and Mongolia

[Gert van der Hoek]

5500 cases of horse flu (H3N8) in Northern China in september and october:

Immediate notification report OIE.

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=6429

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: 5500 cases of horse flu (H3N8) in Northern China

From Wikipedia, the free (encyclopediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H3N8)


H3N8 is a subtype of the species Influenza A virus (sometimes called bird flu virus). H3N8 is now endemic in birds, horses and dogs.

H3N8 is suspected of causing a human pandemic in either 1889 or 1900. Sources differ; some say the 1889 pandemic was caused H2N2. The experts also differ on exactly how sure we can be that either were involved.<SUP class=reference id=_ref-0>[1]</SUP>
<SUP></SUP>
It was the subtype that was responsible for over one-forth of the flu infections in wild ducks in a 1997 study.<SUP class=reference id=_ref-1>[2]</SUP>
<SUP></SUP>
<SUP>from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_flu:</SUP>
<SUP></SUP>
<SUP>Equine influenza (Horse flu) refers to varieties of Influenzavirus A that are endemic in horses. Horse flu viruses were only isolated in 1956. There are two main types of virus called equine-1 (H7N7) which commonly affects horse heart muscle and equine-2 (H3N8) which is usually more severe. Horse flu is endemic throughout the world.

The disease has a nearly 100% infection rate in an unvaccinated horse population that has not been previously exposed to the virus. The incubation time is one to five days.

Horses with horse flu can run a fever, have a dry hacking cough, have a runny nose, and become depressed and reluctant to eat or drink for several days but usually recover in 2 to 3 weeks. <SUP class=reference id=_ref-0>[1]</SUP>

"Vaccination schedules generally require a primary course of 2 doses, 3-6 weeks apart, followed by boosters at 6-12 month intervals. It is generally recognised that in many cases such schedules may not maintain protective levels of antibody and more frequent administration is advised in high-risk situations." <SUP class=reference id=_ref-1>[2]</SUP>

It is a common requirement at shows in Britain that horses are vaccinated against Equine flu and a vaccination card must be produced; the FEI requires vaccination every 6 months.<SUP class=reference id=_ref-2>[3]</SUP> <SUP class=reference id=_ref-3>[4]</SUP>

In August 2007, a notable outbreak occurred in Australia which had previously been free of the virus.
</SUP><SUP></SUP>

[Niko]

Re: 5500 cases of horse flu (H3N8) in Northern China

China Has First Horse-Flu Outbreak in 13 Years, Near Mongolia
By Jason Gale
<!-- WARNING: #foreach: $wnstory.ATTS: null at /bb/data/web/templates/webmacro_en/20601080.wm:310.2 --> <!-- WARNING: #foreach: $wnstory.ATTS: null at /bb/data/web/templates/webmacro_en/20601080.wm:324.19 --> Nov. 6 (Bloomberg) -- China said 130,000 horses risk catching flu after the nation's first outbreak of equine influenza in 13 years was discovered in a northwestern province.

More than 5,500 cases of the viral disease were reported in Altay, Xinjiang province, China's Chief Veterinary Officer Jia Youling said yesterday. An analysis by the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute on Oct. 30 found the outbreak was caused by the H3N8 strain of flu, which isn't usually fatal for animals or dangerous to people.

Government officials are restricting the movement of horses, screening animals for the virus and quarantining those infected to control the outbreak, Jia said in a report to the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health. Horses at risk of infection are in the counties of Altay, Burqin, Fuhai, Fuyun, Habahe, Jemnay and Qinghe, he said in the report. Xinjiang province borders Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia.

Organizers of the Beijing Olympics said in 2005 they planned to hold equestrian events at next year's Games in Hong Kong because they couldn't promise protection from equine diseases and Hong Kong has more experience with equine sports.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jason Gale in Singapore at j.gale@bloomberg.net .
Last Updated: November 5, 2007 21:31 EST

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=adOB5M_tYgpE

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: 5500 cases of horse flu (H3N8) in Northern China

Archive Number 20071112.3669
Published Date 12-NOV-2007
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Equine influenza - Mongolia

EQUINE INFLUENZA - MONGOLIA
***************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Wed 7 Nov 2007
Source: People's Daily [in Chinese, trans. Rappt.DS, edited]
<http://world.people.com.cn/GB/57507/6496620.html>


Local media reports that suspected equine influenza was discovered on
26 Oct 2007 in Bulgan Sum and Uyench Sum in Khovd Province, which
borders China's Xinjiang Province. Analysis by the province's
livestock infectious disease prevention agency[ies] confirmed that
equine influenza had occurred in the 2 Sums [districts] above. The
province has quarantined the areas of the outbreak. Quarantine
measures were adopted in neighboring Bayan-Olgii Province and
Govi-Altai Province, to prevent further spread of the disease. At the
same time, the disease prevention agency[ies] has urgently
distributed equine influenza vaccine for injection in horses in the
affected area. Up to now, about 600 horses have been infected with
equine influenza.

Equine influenza is a type of highly contagious respiratory disease.
It can cause death in colts and bodily weakness in mature horses. Up
to now no cases are known to have been transmitted to humans.

On 5 Nov 2007, China submitted to the OIE (World Organization for
Animal Health) a report on outbreaks of equine influenza, caused by
the equine influenza virus A subtype H3N8, in 7 counties, namely
Altay, Burqin, Fuhai, Fuyun, Habahe, Jemnay, and Qinghe in the
Xinjiang province. The date of start of the outbreak was, reportedly,
9 Oct 2007. According to the Chinese newswire above, the disease was
discovered in neighboring Mongolia on 26 Oct 2007, namely weeks after
its start in Xinjiang.

Mongolia's annual reports to the OIE indicate that the disease has
been present continuously in the past and vaccinations were applied;
for a multiannual disease status (1996-2004), see

http://www.oie.int/hs2/sit_pays_mald_pl.asp?c_pays=126&c_mald=64

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/askus/f?p=2400:1001:78987::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,40042

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Horse flu (H3N8) in Northern China and Mongolia

OIE report:


Information received on 14/11/2007 from Mr Doloonjin Orgil, Director, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Services, ULAN BATOR, Mongolia

- snip -

Summary of outbreaks

Total outbreaks: 7

Species Equidae

Total animals Susceptible 101587

Cases 11631

Deaths 9

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=6475

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Horse flu (H3N8) in Northern China and Mongolia

Horse flu spreads in Mongolia

January 07, 2008

Horse flu continues to spread in Mongolia and more than 60,000 horses in 11 provinces in southern Mongolia have been infected since October, 2007.

Mongolian General Authority for Emergency Management said on Monday that 21 horses had gone down with the equine influenza virus through Mongolia.

The government had taken measures to control the epidemic situation and more than 30,000 horses had been charmed away.

Mongolia is a country of stock raising and has more than 2 million horses throughout the country.

The horse flu does not infect human beings.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90782/6333666.html