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Update on Seasonal Nervous Disease of HorsesBy Dr. Peter Huntington · March 29, 2011
The high summer rainfall and subsequent floods have been associated with an unusual incidence of nervous disease in horses in Victoria, Southern New South Wales, and South Australia. Over 90 properties have been affected in Victoria since the beginning of the year. Some horses recover uneventfully, but 12 deaths have been reported. Horses have shown a range of nervous signs with incoordination, stiffness, and reluctance to move being the most common.
Cases have been associated with intense mosquito activity, and several horses have tested positive for infection with the mosquito-transmitted Ross Rover virus (RRV) and Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV).
Whether these viruses are the cause of the disease remains to be determined but is under investigation. Both of these viruses can cause disease in humans as well.
In the meantime, try to keep horses from being bitten by mosquitoes. As most horses live outside, a range of measures may be needed to reduce exposure to mosquitoes.
For more details, go to vetboard.vic.gov.au.
