AU: Unexplained horse illness - Horse fatalities (maybe) caused by MVE and Ross River

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/03/071.shtml



March 10, 2011

Authorities are investigating a spate of unexplained nervous-system symptoms in horses in the Australian state of Victoria.

The Department of Primary Industries is asking vets to submit samples from horses displaying such symptoms.

The request comes amid warnings of a rise in the number of cases of mosquito-borne viral diseases, following unprecedented flooding across eastern parts of Australia in recent months.

Victoria's acting chief veterinary officer, Dr Andrew Cameron, said the department was investigating several cases of unexplained neurological disease in horses.

"Samples from veterinary practitioners investigating any cases of nervous system disease will help our investigation," he said.

In Victoria, cases have been observed along the Murray River and in an area of about 50 kilometres around Ballarat.

Unexplained neurological cases have also been recently observed in South Australia and New South Wales.

The main symptom in horses is ataxia, or "wobbliness".

He said the coincidence of these cases during a period of very high mosquito activity after a heavy rainy season, and links to nearby water bodies, suggested insect-borne infection...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Victoria, AU: Samples sought to identify unexplained horse illness

Re: Victoria, AU: Samples sought to identify unexplained horse illness

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201103/s3161450.htm

Horse fever outbreak in the Riverland

Friday, 11/03/2011

Mosquito-borne Murray Valley Encephalitis has been found in horses in South Australia's Riverland.

It comes following similar findings and the death of a horse, in north-west Victoria.

Veterinarian Dr John Hammond says three horses in the Riverland have been diagnosed, and Primary Industries and Resources SA is investigating the matter.

"We've had horses that seem to have classic Ross River Virus symptoms, with swollen joints and a bit of a fever and very stiff and sore," he said.

"We've had some horses that have had neurological symptoms. They've been weak and wobbly and have had some trouble walking."

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Victoria, AU: Samples sought to identify unexplained horse illness

Re: Victoria, AU: Samples sought to identify unexplained horse illness

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201103/s3163126.htm

Mystery horse virus spreads

Monday, 14/03/2011

Biosecurity SA is investigating an unexplained neurological virus that has affected horses across parts of South Australia.

Fifteen cases have been reported across the Riverland, the upper South East and the Adelaide Hills.

It comes following similar findings in NSW and Victoria.

Chief veterinary officer Rob Rahaley says authorities haven't determined the exact cause, but can confirm the viruses are being spread by mosquitoes...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness

Source: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2011/04/013.shtml

Two distinct diseases in Aust outbreaks

April 2, 2011

Australian horses infected by what authorities believe are mosquito-borne viruses appear to be affected by two distinct syndromes.

Veterinarians in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia are reporting increased numbers of horses with two distinct disease syndromes, either predominantly muscle and joint soreness, or unusual nervous signs...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness

Source: http://cranbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/mystery-horse-virus-panics-casey-owners/

Mystery horse virus panics Casey owners

* Local News

6 Apr 11 @ 07:00am by Kylie Adoranti

A FATAL mystery equine virus has caused panic among Casey horse owners.

But local vets are urging people to remain calm.

The Australian Veterinary Association last week issued a warning to owners following the deaths of 15 horses from an unidentified neurological illness in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

The cases are still under investigation, but AVA president Dr Barry Smyth said the deaths were believed to be the result of a mosquito-borne virus...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness

Mosquitoes blamed for horse deaths

Thursday, 07/04/2011

Mosquito-borne viruses have been identified as the killers of scores of horses across eastern Australia.

Tests done by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries found Murray Valley Encephalitis and Ross River virus were responsible for the outbreak.

Eighteen horse deaths are confirmed in Victoria, and from more than 110 cases reported in NSW, about 15 died or had to be euthanised.

...

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201104/s3184825.htm

 

[Emily]

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness - Horse fatalities caused by MVE and Ross River

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness - Horse fatalities caused by MVE and Ross River

http://www.countrynews.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=201104113782747

Virus threat cools

By Geoff Adams
April 11 2011
Country News

The threat from an unidentified arbovirus to horses in northern Victoria appears to have diminished with the onset of cooler weather.

A total of 16 horses have had to be euthanased or died as a result of the illness caused by a virus suspected of being transmitted by mosquito bites...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness - Horse fatalities caused by MVE and Ross River

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness - Horse fatalities caused by MVE and Ross River

Horse Neuro Disease ? 13 April update
Mosquito Born Neurological Disease in Horses
Horse Industry Update 13/04/2011
Biosecurity SA is continuing to receive reports of horses showing unusual neurological signs in South Australia. The neurological signs include ataxia (wobbly in the legs and difficulty walking), muscle tremors and sensitivity to touch). These reports have decreased in the past week and may be a result of less mosquito activity due to the cooler weather. Similar changes are being reported in Victoria and NSW.

Since the middle of February 117 horses have been reported with illness, and 71 of those are neurological cases in horses, reported by private veterinarians to Biosecurity SA. Five of these horses have been euthanased while the remainder are recovering from their illness.

These reported neurological cases are spread across the state from the Riverland, down the length of the Murray and areas both north and south of Adelaide from Port Pirie to Victor Harbor.

Horses are being tested for a range of mosquito born viruses including Ross River virus and a group of viruses called ?flaviviruses? that includes Kunjin Virus and Murray Valley Encephalitis virus. Maps showing the current geographical distribution of these cases and their test results can be found on the Biosecurity SA Animal Health Website at the following address.
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/animalhealth/disease_surveillance

Laboratory results so far have indicated that a mosquito borne flavivirus may be responsible for the clinical signs in some of these horses. The laboratory results also indicate that recent exposure to Ross River virus has also occurred in some horses.

To gain further understanding about the flaviviruses that may be the cause of the neurological disease Biosecurity SA is focusing its investigations and laboratory testing on horses that have significant clinical signs and severe cases where it might be possible to obtain brain tissue for virus culture, should the animal die or be euthanized.

There is no known risk to humans from direct contact with horses infected with mosquito transmitted viruses. However humans, as with horses, can be infected from the bite of an infected mosquito for some diseases. A fact sheet about Murray Valley Encephalitis in Humans can be found on the Department of Health website at the following address:
http://www.health.sa.gov.au/pehs/ygw/mvencephalitis-pehs-sahealth-2009.pdf

Owners can attempt to protect their horses from mosquitoes by using repellents, covering them up, keeping them indoors at times of high mosquito activity (dawn and dusk) and minimising possible mosquito breeding areas.

Horse owners should contact their local veterinarian if their horse is unwell or behaving strangely. The vet can then work with Biosecurity SA to undertake a disease investigation on cases with neurological signs.

http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurit...lance/horse_neuro_disease_150_13_april_update


maps of tests and results: http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/ass...er_investigation_Flavivirus_-_14_Apr_2011.pdf

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness - Horse fatalities (maybe) caused by MVE and Ross River

Mystery virus kills horses
02 Jun, 2011 01:55 PM
The death of four horses at a Minnipa property in the past two weeks remains a mystery despite an ongoing investigation by the Department of Primary Industry and Resources South Australia (PIRSA).
Horse owner Jess Preece said out of eight horses in her stables, four have died and two more are ill with an unidentified virus.

?I am devastated,? she said.

?PIRSA suspect a virus, but whatever it is, it is causing neurological problems.


For more details, see the Sentinel.


http://www.westcoastsentinel.com.au...stery-virus-kills-horses/2183290.aspx?src=rss

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: AU: Unexplained horse illness - Horse fatalities (maybe) caused by MVE and Ross River

Mosquito Borne Neurological Disease in Horses - 30 May 2011
Horse Industry Update 30/05/2011

Biosecurity SA is continuing to receive a small number of reports of horses showing neurological signs in South Australia. The neurological signs include ataxia (wobbly in the legs and difficulty walking), muscle tremors and sensitivity to touch. The number of horses reported has been reducing since the start of April. Only four horses with neurological signs have been reported in the past fortnight.

Horses are being tested for a mosquito borne group of viruses called ?flaviviruses? that include Kunjin Virus and Murray Valley Encephalitis virus (MVEV).

Since the middle of February a total of 144 cases have had blood samples submitted for testing. Of these 144 cases 82 have tested positive and 56 negative to flavivirus on serological tests. The majority of positive flavivirus serology is due to Kunjin Virus with a few cases of MVEV. The laboratory results also indicate that recent exposure to Ross River virus has also occurred in some horses. The last positive result for flavivirus had the blood sample collected on 4 May.

Maps showing the geographical distribution of these cases and the flavivirus serology test results can be found on the Biosecurity SA Animal Health Website. http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecuritysa/animalhealth/disease_surveillance

The last horse euthanased with neurological signs that tested positive to flavivirus was reported on 14 April. There are a total of seven horses that have been euthanased which were suspected of having had flavivirus infection since the start of February in South Australia. Laboratory testing on the brains collected from four of these euthanased horses have laboratory results that confirm the horses had been infected with Kunjin Virus.

Horse owners should contact their local veterinarian if their horse is unwell. The vet can then work with Biosecurity SA to undertake a disease investigation on cases with neurological signs.

http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurit..._neurological_disease_in_horses_-_30_may_2011