In:
Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, Wiley, Vol. 7, No. 5 ( 2013-09), p. 659-665
Abstract:
Equine influenza virus ( EIV ) epizootics affect 2·1 million Mongolian horses approximately every 10 years and critically impact economy and nomadic livelihood of M ongolia. Objectives An active surveillance program was established in 2011 to monitor influenza viruses circulating among M ongolian horses. Methods Nasal swabs were collected from horses in free‐ranging horse herds in T öv, K hentii, and D undgovi aimags (provinces) from January to September 2011. Real‐time reversetranscriptase–polymerase chain reaction ( rRT ‐ PCR ) was used to determine the presence of influenza A virus. Influenza A ‐positive specimens were cultured to amplify virus; viral RNA was extracted, and gene segments were amplified and sequenced by S anger sequencing. Results A total of 745 horses were swabbed; most horses were without clinical signs of illness. In J uly 2011, reports of influenza‐like illnesses emerged among horses in M ongolia's capital, and subsequently, surveillance efforts were adjusted to swab horses associated with the epizootic. Thirty‐four specimens of rRT ‐ PCR influenza‐positive virus were collected in M ay, J une, A ugust, and S eptember. Three specimens yielded detectable virus. Gene sequence studies suggested that all three isolates were identical H 3 N 8 viruses. Phylogenetic analyses indicated the strain was very similar to other H 3 N 8 EIV s circulating in central A sia between 2007 and 2008. Conclusions As large M ongolian equine herds often seem to suffer from EIV epizootics, it seems prudent to continue such routine equine influenza surveillance. Doing so will provide an early warning system, should novel viruses emerge, help in assessing if EIV is crossing over to infect humans and provide data to assess the likely effectiveness of current EIV vaccines.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1750-2640
,
1750-2659
DOI:
10.1111/irv.2013.7.issue-5
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2013
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2272349-3
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