Outbreak of African Horse Sickness in Thailand

An outbreak of African Horse Sickness in Thailand highlights the importance of rigorous biosecurity prevention and response strategies.

According to a report which appeared in “Science” on the 16th April, Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development has reported more than 192 horse deaths across 37 racing, sports, and leisure riding farms as a result of an outbreak of African Horsesickness.  It is suspected that the disease was introduced through the importation of Zebra.

According to the report, Zebras do not have to undergo the same strict biosecurity requirements that horses must when imported into Thailand.  This emphasises the importance of comprehensive biosecurity strategies to provide effective protection against the incursion of exotic diseases.

The report can be found here: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/04/thailand-scrambles-contain-major-outbreak-horse-killing-virus?fbclid=IwAR1TE6XD3EE0oyPAF96rW1IrpSxHpmI16C1chX5Mz4iI669iXp49o8t878k