RESEARCH COMMUNICATION NAVORSINGSBERIG

A serological survey of African horse sickness in Botswana

J M K Hyera; E K Baipoledi

National Veterinary Laboratory, Private Bag 0035, Gaborone, Botswana

ABSTRACT

A retrospective serological survey of African horse sickness (AHS) in Botswana covering a 10-year period (1995-2004) is reported. The survey involved horses showing clinical symptoms of the disease; the horses had not been vaccinated against AHS. Over the period surveyed, serological evidence suggestive of infection with AHS virus (AHSV) was found in 99 clinical cases out of which 41.4 % (41/99) cases were found during the 1st half (1995-1999) and 58.6 % (58/99) cases were found in the 2nd half of the survey period (2000-2004). These serological findings are discussed in relation to AHSV serotypes isolated from diseased horses in Botswana before and during the period of this serological survey.

Key words: African horse sickness (AHS), AHS virus serotypes, Botswana, Culicoides midges, serological survey

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REFERENCES

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Received: April 2007
Accepted: March 2008

* Author for correspondence: E-mail: jhyera@gov.bw