Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 140

the rider

Island Life - December 2010

Exotic diseases
must be taken
more seriously
There are several equine diseases that

(WNV ) and Equine Infectious Anaemia

have, for many years, been seen as

(EIA).

“exotic” and consequently of no threat

In 2007, outbreaks of Bluetongue

The British Horse Society is a
member of the African Horse Sickness
Working Group. Many organisations

to British horses. However, a number

were reported in the UK, affecting

including the government, scientists

of factors, including climate change

sheep and cattle (Bluetongue does

and the equine industry now seriously

and an increase in the international

not affect horses). Bluetongue is a

acknowledge that there is a need to

movement of horses, have meant that

vector-borne disease and requires a

prepare for the appearance of these

the likelihood of these diseases entering

midge to carry and then transmit the

diseases. This Group was established

Britain has increased and the risk,

virus to susceptible animals.

to identify issues where lobbying

while still small, must be taken more
seriously.
It is important that we are ready

The fact that the midge entered,

and campaigning to government

survived and transmitted the disease

may benefit UK horses. The Welfare

in the UK has triggered much of

Department is also committed to raising

should they appear, and so the BHS

the concern regarding the threat of

awareness and educating horse owners

has been campaigning to raise horse

exotic diseases. Both AHS and WNV

and keepers about these diseases.

owners’ awareness and working with

are vector-borne diseases and involve

government to ensure that we are as

midges and mosquitoes respectively.

everyone involved with horses to be

prepared as possible. The three diseases

EIA can also be transmitted to other

aware of exotic diseases and their signs,

seen as the greatest threat are African

horses via biting flies and very rarely

there is absolutely no need for undue

Horse Sickness (AHS), West Nile Virus

mosquitoes.

alarm or panic. No-one is suggesting

Although we consider it important for

Midge

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