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A team from University of Reading are starting research this week to
investigate the potential economic and social impact of African Horse Sickness (AHS) control
measures. (WARNING: Contains graphic image of AHS)
The research has been commissioned by a government and industry working group - the AHS
Working Group - which was founded and is led by Buckinghamshire charity The Horse Trust.
African Horse Sickness is a highly fatal and infectious disease, which affects horses, mules
and donkeys. The disease is transmitted via Culicoides midges, also responsible for
infecting cows and sheep with the Bluetongue virus. AHS kills 90% of the horses it infects
and is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. There is concern that AHS may reach the UK as –
Bluetongue has done.
The research project, which will be led by Keith Allison(1), has been given £9,000 funding
to carry out this work(2). The results of the research will form part of the Government
Control Strategy document defining how an outbreak would be managed.
Keith Allison said: "We are pleased to be able to carry out this work on behalf of the horse
industry, into this potentially devastating disease."
Over the next two months, the researchers will be approaching the horse-owning public and
industry for information.
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The evidence produced will be used to help fight for additional funding
towards the development and production of an effective vaccine against the disease - there
is currently no vaccine available for use in the UK. It will also be used to justify the
need to make changes to the EU Directive and Control Strategy.
It is anticipated that the economic impact this disease would have on the £4billion ($8.23
Billion AUSD) horse industry would be enormous. Under the current EU Directive all
equestrian activity would be prohibited as the transport of horses would effectively be
banned. The social impact of the emergence of African Horse Sickness in the UK is likely to
be difficult to quantify.
As previously demonstrated by the 2007 EI Outbreak, any incursion of AHS into Australia
would have devastating impacts.
The Horse Trust, founded in 1886, is the oldest horse charity in the UK. Based at Speen,
Buckinghamshire, it is committed to a programme of welfare, science and education and is the
largest provider of grant funding for equine welfare in the United Kingdom. The Trust funds
research into equine diseases; gives grants to help build and equip equine hospitals
throughout the country and works to raise awareness of the importance of cost, care and
commitment to responsible horse ownership. The Horse Trust also manages The Home of Rest
for Horses which, funded solely by donations and legacies, provides lifetime sanctuary for
more than 100 retired working horses, ponies and donkeys from many different backgrounds.
1 The other two investigators from Reading University are Tony Wilsmore and Nic Taylor.
2 The following organisations have made a contribution to fund the research:
British Equestrian Federation (BEF)
British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA)
British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA)
British Horseracing Authority (BHA)
British Horse Society (BHS)
NFU
South Essex Insurance Brokers
The Donkey Sanctuary
The Horse Trust
World Horse Welfare
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