Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland.
Equine Vet J. 2011 Sep;43(5):608-17. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00333.x. Epub 2011 Mar 4.
Outbreaks of equine influenza (EI) in endemic populations continue to cause economic loss despite widespread vaccination.
To identify the key management and environmental factors that determine the risk of horses contracting EI in an endemic country and to identify control strategies.
Real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), virus isolation and haemagglutination inhibition were carried out on nasopharyngeal swabs and clotted blood samples collected from horses and ponies showing signs of respiratory disease. On premises where a diagnosis of EI was confirmed, the attending veterinary surgeon was asked to participate in an epidemiological investigation.
Between June 2007 and January 2010, EI outbreaks were diagnosed on 28 premises located in 13 of the 32 counties of Ireland. Veterinary advice was sought on average more than 5 days after the first clinical signs were observed. The majority of diagnoses were made by RT-PCR. Data from 404 horses on 16 premises were used in the epidemiological analysis. In 15 premises, EI was identified following movement of horses. Housing type, teaser stallions or fomites/personnel contributed to virus spread. Vaccination status, number of years vaccination, time since last vaccination and age influenced disease expression. Isolation and vaccination were effective control measures on the premises where they were implemented.
Preventative measures include: isolation, clinical monitoring, serological testing and vaccination of new arrivals, booster vaccination of horses at 6 monthly intervals, maintenance of effective boundaries between equine premises and avoidance of stabling in single air spaces. Control measures include: prompt isolation of suspected cases, rapid diagnosis by RT-PCR, booster vaccination of cohorts and implementation of biosecurity measures to avoid transmission by fomites and personnel.
Implementation of these preventative and control measures should reduce the economic losses associated with outbreaks of EI.
尽管广泛接种疫苗，但在流行地区，马流感（EI）的爆发仍持续造成经济损失。
确定决定流行地区马匹感染 EI 风险的关键管理和环境因素，并确定控制策略。
对出现呼吸道疾病症状的马和小马的鼻拭子和凝血血液样本进行实时聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）、病毒分离和血凝抑制检测。在确诊 EI 的场所，要求主治兽医参与流行病学调查。
2007 年 6 月至 2010 年 1 月，在爱尔兰 32 个郡中的 13 个郡的 28 个场所诊断出 EI 爆发。首次临床症状出现后平均超过 5 天寻求兽医建议。大多数诊断是通过 RT-PCR 进行的。在 16 个场所的 404 匹马的数据用于流行病学分析。在 15 个场所，马的移动导致 EI 被发现。住房类型、挑逗种马或媒介/人员导致病毒传播。接种状态、接种年限、上次接种时间和年龄影响疾病表现。在实施这些措施的场所，隔离和接种是有效的控制措施。
预防措施包括：对新来者进行隔离、临床监测、血清学检测和接种、每 6 个月对马匹进行加强接种、保持马房之间有效的边界以及避免在单一空气空间中饲养。控制措施包括：疑似病例的快速隔离、通过 RT-PCR 快速诊断、对群组进行加强接种以及实施生物安全措施以避免通过媒介和人员传播。
实施这些预防和控制措施应减少与 EI 爆发相关的经济损失。
