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Avian Influenza Surveillance with FTA Cards: Field Methods, Biosafety, and Transportation Issues Solved
Published on: August 2, 2011
Equine influenza - surveillance and control
Ann Cullinane1, Debra Elton, Jenny Mumford
1Virology Unit, The Irish Equine Centre, Johnstown, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland. acullinane@equine-centre.ie
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses
|October 21, 2010
Summary
Equine influenza virus poses a significant threat to horses and equestrian events. Regular surveillance and updated vaccines are crucial for effective control, despite challenges in global data collection and vaccine development response.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Virology
- Equine Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Equine influenza virus (EIV) is a highly contagious respiratory pathogen impacting horses globally.
- Antigenic drift in EIV necessitates ongoing vaccine efficacy assessment and updates.
- Equine influenza (EI) outbreaks can disrupt significant equestrian events, highlighting the need for robust control measures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of EI surveillance and its role in controlling EIV.
- To highlight the impact of antigenic drift on vaccine effectiveness.
- To emphasize the need for global surveillance enhancement and timely vaccine updates.
Main Methods:
- Annual review of EI outbreak data and virus strain characterization by an Expert Surveillance Panel (ESP).
- Analysis of disease evidence in vaccinated horses, antigenic and genetic changes, and experimental challenge data.
- Assessment of global surveillance disparities and their impact on prevalence data.
Main Results:
- Antigenic drift in EIV repeatedly impacts vaccine efficacy in field conditions.
- Global surveillance levels are disparate, potentially biasing prevalence information.
- Vaccine companies have been slow to adopt ESP recommendations for vaccine updates.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced global surveillance for EIV is essential for accurate prevalence data and early detection of variants.
- Updating equine influenza vaccines based on ESP recommendations is critical for maintaining herd immunity.
- Veterinary clinicians play a key role in selecting and promoting vaccines with epidemiologically relevant strains.
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