PARTS of the Eastern Cape are experiencing what a state vet has described as one of the most “intense” outbreaks of the often-fatal African Horse Sickness (AHS) virus.

The manager of the Animal Diseases Surveillance Unit and Exports Establishments in the Eastern Cape, Dr Ivan Lwanga-Iga, confirmed that over the past six weeks alone, 15 cases had been reported to state veterinarians, mainly in the Ndlambe (Port Alfred) and Makana (Grahamstown) areas. Of those diagnosed, 11 have died.

It is suspected that this is a conservative figure, as not all cases are reported to the appropriate authorities.

This is despite the fact that AHS is a controlled disease and horse owners should, by law, notify the local state veterinarian of suspected cases.

According to the African Horse Sickness Trust website, www.africanhorsesickness.co.za, AHS is a highly infectious viral disease affecting all equines, including horses, donkeys and mules. Zebras carry the virus, but are resistant to it.

AHS is transmitted by the bite of the Culicoides midge, which becomes infected when feeding on other infected animals.

It is at its worst in warm, rainy conditions when midges are active and midge populations were expected be very high in 2008 due to wet conditions experienced across most parts of the country.

AHS symptoms include fever, sweating, breathing difficulties, discharge from the nose and swelling of the eyes and/or head.

Lwanga-Iga warned that it was the responsibility of owners to vaccinate their horses against AHS. Although vaccinated horses can be infected, the inoculation does provide some protection. He said restrictions on the movement of horses would have to be imposed in the affected areas.

Two horse shows due to be held in February – one in Bathurst and one at the Grahamstown Riding Club – have been cancelled on the advice of Grahamstown-based state veterinarian Dr Jane Pistorius.

“It’s simply not a good idea to hold shows right now. We need to restrict the movement of horses as much as possible,” she said. “This is one of the most intense outbreaks I can recall in recent years. We have, in particular, had many cases reported over the past two weeks.”

Lwanga-Iga said the only way to mitigate the current “flare-up” was to ensure horses were vaccinated and stabled indoors between dusk and dawn, when the midges are most active.

He also recommended that horse owners use fly repellents, avoid moist areas where midges breed and refrain from moving their horses unnecessarily during outbreaks. - By ADRIENNE CARLISLE