Epidemiological survey of equine influenza in horses in India

Rev Sci Tech. 2012 Dec;31(3):871-5. doi: 10.20506/rst.31.3.2164.

Abstract

A highly contagious virus infection in horses, influenza is the single most important equine respiratory disease in the world. This paper presents details of a one-year study (1 June 2008 to 31 May 2009) to determine the prevalence of equine influenza in the horses of Gujarat State in India. The prevalence of equine influenza A/equi-2 was 12.02%, but none of the samples were positive for equine influenza A/equi-1. The prevalence of equine influenza (A/equi-2) was 15.38%, 11.94%, 10.18%, and 9.09% in horses of the Kathiyawari breed, a non-descript breed, the Marwari breed and the Indian Thoroughbred breed, respectively. The highest prevalence of influenza was observed in yearlings (17.48%) and prevalence was at its highest in the month of April (28.89%). The prevalence rate in males, females and geldings was 11.95%, 10.38% and 8.47%, respectively. The mortality rate and case fatality rate were 1.28% and 10.64%, respectively.

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests / veterinary
  • Hemagglutination Tests / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Horse Diseases / virology
  • Horses
  • India / epidemiology
  • Influenza A Virus, H3N8 Subtype* / immunology
  • Influenza A Virus, H7N7 Subtype / immunology
  • Male
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / epidemiology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / veterinary*
  • Prevalence
  • Sex Distribution

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral