A serological survey for equine influenza in New Zealand horses

Authors: Ledgard AM, Horner GW
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 36, Issue 4, pp 205-206, Dec 1988
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Horse, Livestock
Subject Terms: Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Viral, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Respiratory system
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: Equine influenza is one of the main causes of acute respiratory disease of horses in many parts of the world. Clinically the disease is not recognised as being present in New Zealand or Australia but with the increasing international movement of horses the risks of introducing the virus are high. This survey was undertaken to determine if there was serological evidence of equine influenza in New Zealand, and if so, to ascertain the prevalence rate. A total of 566 equine sera were tested against the two strains of equine influenza virus, A/equi 1 (Prague strain) and A/equi 2 (Kentucky strain). The sera were collected from those submitted to Animal Health Laboratories for a variety of reasons such as equine performance tests, test for IgG levels, pregnancy tests, sick animal biochemistry and equine herpesvirus serology. Of the 566 sera 179 (32%) were from South Island horses. Sixteen serum samples…

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