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- Author or Editor: Jaret R. Bogdan x
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Abstract
Objective—To describe 3 epidemics of respiratory tract disease caused by influenza virus infections in a large population of horses.
Design—Cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal observational studies.
Animals—All horses stabled at a Thoroughbred racetrack.
Procedure—During a 3-year period, descriptive information was collected as horses arrived at the racetrack and throughout race meetings. Routine observations and physical examinations were used to classify horses' disease status. Cause of epidemics was established by use of serologic testing and identification of influenza virus in nasal secretions.
Results—An epidemic of respiratory tract disease caused by influenza virus infections was identified during each year of the study. Attack rates of infectious upper respiratory tract disease (IURD) ranged from 16 to 28%. Incidence of disease caused by influenza virus infections during racing seasons in the second and third years was 27 and 37 cases/1,000 horses/mo, respectively. Physical distributions of stall locations revealed that affected horses were stabled throughout the population; horses affected later in epidemics were often clustered around horses affected earlier. Mucopurulent nasal discharge and coughing were observed in 83 and 62% of horses with IURD, respectively. Median duration of clinical disease was 11 days. Serologic testing was the most sensitive method used to detect influenza virus infections; 76% of affected horses seroconverted to influenza virus.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Epidemics of IURD were observed annually in association with influenza virus infections. Few precautions were taken to limit spread of infection. Preventing or decreasing the likelihood of exposure and improving immunity in the population could substantially decrease risk of disease in similar populations. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;216:535–544)
Abstract
Objective—To identify risk factors associated with respiratory tract disease in horses during 3 epidemics caused by influenza virus infections.
Design—Cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal observational studies.
Animals—1,163 horses stabled at a Thoroughbred racetrack.
Procedure—Investigations were conducted during a 3-year period. An epidemic of respiratory tract disease caused by influenza virus infections was identified in each year. Routine observations and physical examinations were used to classify horses' disease status. Data were analyzed to identify factors associated with development of disease.
Results—Results were quite similar among the epidemics. Concentrations of serum antibodies against influenza virus and age were strongly associated with risk of disease; young horses and those with low antibody concentrations had the highest risk of disease. Calculation of population attributable fractions suggested that respiratory tract disease would have been prevented in 25% of affected horses if all horses had high serum antibody concentrations prior to exposure. However, recent history of vaccination was not associated with reduction in disease risk. Exercise ponies had greater risk of disease than racehorses, which was likely attributable to frequent horse-to-horse contact.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—Particular attention should be paid to young horses, those with low serum antibody concentrations, and horses that have frequent contact with other horses when designing and implementing control programs for respiratory tract disease caused by influenza virus infections. It appears that control programs should not rely on the efficacy of commercial vaccines to substantially reduce the risk of disease caused by influenza virus infections. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;216:545–550)
