In a press release dated 29 May 2014, Elsenburg’s Dr John Grewar brings us up to speed on the latest developments of the African Horse Sickness outbreak in the Robertson area.
A number of new properties and cases have been identified in the Robertson area since the last situation report. In total 6 properties have returned positive AHS cases with a total of 19 confirmed cases of the disease.
The cases in Robertson have been largely sub-clinical. There has still only been one death and the total number of clinically affected horses is 5, resulting in a case fatality rate of only 5% and a sub-clinical rate of 74%. Three of the 6 properties have horses which did not show any clinical signs of infection.
The new positive farms are either within or close to within a 10 km distance of the initial positive farm.
The State urges all public in the area as well as private veterinarians to report any suspect cases of AHS in the Robertson area to Dr Llewellyn Hon who is the local State Veterinarian based in Swellendam on 028 514 1670.
For movements into, out of and within the Robertson area we ask that owners first contact Dr Llewellyn Hon to find out what the current requirements are. These may include a veterinary clinical check of horses leaving the properties based on where they are situated. We still urge members of the public not to unnecessarily move horses in and around the Robertson area.
The cases in Robertson do continue to prohibit the movement of horses into the AHS surveillance and free zone from Robertson and surrounds. Again, please contact Dr Hon prior to planning any such movements of horses.
The source of infection has yet to be established. The serotype of the virus is the same as the Porterville outbreak, but no links have been established yet between these locations. We currently consider this outbreak not to be related to the Porterville cases until more evidence is uncovered.
