By Equestrian Life
The outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) in Thailand has now killed more than 500 equines, and experts believe that thousands more are at risk.
A notifiable disease with the World Organisation for Animal Health, AHS has a mortality rate of around 95%. Unfortunately, horses do not have any natural immunity to it, and the Thailand outbreak is proving to be particularly deadly with many horses dying quite quickly once infected.
There are currently fears that the virus could spread beyond Thailand’s borders, with China in particular taking measures to try and prevent it spreading their way.
A plan to vaccinate has begun, however horses are not being vaccinated until they are tested for it to avoid treating animals already infected. Thailand based Lampang Pony Welfare Foundation are currently calling on donations to help provide local equine owners with midge-proof nets, as the virus is spread by flying midges.
“The most effective way to contain the outbreak immediately is to control these midges. Nets treated with insecticides and is fine enough to trap and kill the midges need to be put up around each animal. This way, we can control the spread before a controlled vaccination program is put in place,” reads a statement on their website.
The rescue organisation, whose mission is to “improve the welfare of ponies and horses in Lampang though strengthening the relationship between people, ponies and horses”, is working in the worst hit areas of central Thailand.
AHS is not just a threat to equines in Thailand; it’s a threat to the livelihoods of those who own them, many of whom are already struggling due to the impact of coronavirus.
