Rapid diagnosis of African horse sickness

The rapid diagnosis of African horse sickness (AHS) during the incubation period using virus antigens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and red blood cells (RBC) in a sandwich indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is reported. PMBC consistently gave higher positive ELISA results than RBC from blood collected during viraemia from clinically affected horses. The potential of the method described for wider application in rapid diagnosis and virus surveillance in susceptible equine populations, particularly in AHS-free and in enzootic areas, for effective control strategies is highlighted.