Situation Report Four: African Horse Sickness Outbreak

There has been a confirmed outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in the Wellington area near to the Berg River. Five cases have been identified on one property, with one death. Clinical signs are similar to the Porterville cases and the serotype of the case is the same as the Porterville cases – we therefore see this case as an extension of the Porterville outbreak.

There are currently a total of 10 confirmed AHS properties in the outbreak area with a total of 36 cases and four deaths as a result of the virus.

The Wellington property is in the AHS surveillance zone and this has prompted a revision of the initial AHS containment zone. The new containment zone boundaries are illustrated in the figure below.

The census and clinical surveillance undertaken by the State is complete within the initial AHS containment zone and the data is currently being captured. The State plans to perform clinical surveillance within a 10 km area surrounding the positive Wellington property but we also urge horse owners in the containment zone to report any clinical cases or deaths which may be African horse sickness-related.

We remind owners that vaccination against AHS in the AHS surveillance zone is only to be performed after the required permissions from State Vet Boland (021 808 5253) has been obtained.

Information regarding the movement of horses can be obtained from the relevant area’s State veterinarian.

It is currently unknown when the containment zone and control measures will be relaxed.