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Discussion on Research Summary: Ross River Virus in Horses
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008 - 10:44 am:
Much confusion overlies the status of Ross River Virus (RRV) in horses. In endemic areas serological evidence of exposure is common but unusually high incidence of clinical disease in these horses not noted. Some have argued that horses with disease may not be because of the virus and it seems certain there is low pathogenicity in the majority of horses. Here is a report supporting the idea that RRV is a cause of disease in some horses.
DrO
Aust Vet J. 2008 Sep;86(9):367-70.
Disease suspected to be caused by Ross River virus infection of horses.
El-Hage C, McCluskey M, Azuolas J.
Department of Primary Industries. PO Box 103, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia Current address: University of Melbourne. Department of Veterinary Science, 250 Princes Hwy, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia; cmeh@unimelb.edu.au.
Ross River Virus (RRV) was believed to be the cause of acute illness in four horses around the Bellarine peninsula in south-west Victoria, Australia. The horses presented with clinical signs including petechial hemorrhages, lymphadenopathy, distal limb swelling and reluctance to move. Fibrinogen was also elevated in three of the four horses. Whilst no virus was isolated, serological testing revealed elevated RRV IgM titres in all horses indicating acute infection. The outbreak occurred at a time when a known RRV vector, the mosquito Aedes camptorhynchus was recorded at very high levels in the region. This report is one of very few to attribute specific signs of disease to RRV in horses in conjunction with serological evidence of infection. Aust Vet J 2008;86:367-370.
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