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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. 

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.