Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Grim season for deadly African Horse Sickness
South Africa is battling a bad outbreak of deadly African Horse Sickness, with some cases appearing in parts of the country that have not been hit in more than 40 years.
Latest figures from the African Horse Sickness Trust indicate there have been 881 cases so far in the 2010-2011 season, which have claimed the lives of 588 horses.
With evidence of serious under-reporting, the actual death toll is likely to be much higher.
March was the worst month for the season, which began in November, with 538 suspected cases reported.
Cases in the Western Cape have forced the shutdown of South Africa's thoroughbred export industry, which may not be able to resume horse sales to the European Union for two years.
African horse sickness is considered a potential threat to Europe's horse population. The midge that spreads the disease had spread north from Africa into parts of Europe, most likely because of climate change.
A major European outbreak, among horses never before exposed to the disease, has the potential to seriously damage equestrian industries.
Read more: horsetalknz
Zie ook: Afrikaanse Paardenpest steeds groter risico voor Europa
South Africa is battling a bad outbreak of deadly African Horse Sickness, with some cases appearing in parts of the country that have not been hit in more than 40 years.
Latest figures from the African Horse Sickness Trust indicate there have been 881 cases so far in the 2010-2011 season, which have claimed the lives of 588 horses.
With evidence of serious under-reporting, the actual death toll is likely to be much higher.
March was the worst month for the season, which began in November, with 538 suspected cases reported.
Cases in the Western Cape have forced the shutdown of South Africa's thoroughbred export industry, which may not be able to resume horse sales to the European Union for two years.
African horse sickness is considered a potential threat to Europe's horse population. The midge that spreads the disease had spread north from Africa into parts of Europe, most likely because of climate change.
A major European outbreak, among horses never before exposed to the disease, has the potential to seriously damage equestrian industries.
Read more: horsetalknz
Zie ook: Afrikaanse Paardenpest steeds groter risico voor Europa