What are the symptoms of African horse sickness?
Although it is not infectious – an infected insect is always the intermediate host – African horse sickness is the most feared of all equine diseases. There are two forms; the pulmonary form is the most lethal and recovery is rare. A very high temperature quickly leads to severe respiratory distress, a frothy discharge from the nose and then death. The cardiac form results in a more persistent high temperature that gradually leads to swelling of the head, initially above the eyes, but then spreads to the rest of the head and neck. The mortality rate is about 50%, but any haemorrhaging from the eyes and mouth is a poor indicator for survival. Can African horse sickness be prevented? Minimising contact with biting insects will play a significant part in control. However, slaughter may be a major part of the African horse sickness disease control programme, as eradication rather than vaccination will be the principal aim. Insect avoidance measures are the key. Housing horses, especially f
