Abstract

Equine Influenza Virus (EIV) is a major cause of respiratory disease in horses and the virus constantly undergoes antigenic drift. Here we characterize and describe the HA1 and the NA genes of H3N8 within samples obtained from outbreaks in Sweden during November-December 2011. Both Clade 1 and Clade 2 viruses of the Florida sublineage were identified. The index case of Clade 2 was transported to Sweden from Spain through the Netherlands, whereas the Clade 1 had its origin from a Swedish stud farm. The Clade 1 virus was efficiently spread between training yards by unvaccinated young horses, but vaccinated horses were also presented with clinical signs of respiratory disease. No virus of the Eurasian lineage was isolated during this outbreak. Clade 1 has previously been described in outbreaks in numerous of other countries, but this is the first time it has been detected in Sweden. The results from this study shows the importance of including both Clade 1 and Clade 2 of the Florida sublineage in equine influenza vaccines, supporting the ESP and OIE recommendations. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

Horse; influenza; Phylogenetic characterization; Clade 1; Clade 2

Published in

Veterinary Microbiology
2016, Volume: 184, pages: 1-6

SLU Authors

• Pringle, John

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Veterinary Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2015.12.010

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/76778