Thailand hit by African Horse Sickness, killing over 100 horses

[webfact]

Thailand hit by African Horse Sickness, killing over 100 horses

 

FILE PHOTO: Reuters

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - More than 100 horses have died from African Horse Sickness (AHS) in Thailand, government data showed, in the Southeast Asian country's first instance of the illness that only affects animals.

 

"This disease has just occurred in Thailand. We've never had it in the past," director-general of the Department of Livestock Development, Sorawit Thanito, said on Thursday.

 

The government has quarantined sick horses to limit the spread of the disease, Sorawit said.

 

At least 131 horses have died across four provinces, latest government data showed.

 

"We have to investigate how this virus got to Thailand," he said, adding that the government was notified in late March of AHS in the country.

 

Horses suffering from the illness can have fevers of over 39 Celsius, difficulty breathing and bleeding in the eyes.

 

There have been no reported cases of AHS in humans and it was not related to the outbreak of the new coronavirus, Sorawit said.

 

The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) suspended Thailand's status as an "AHS Free Country" on March 27.

 

AHS is endemic in the central tropical regions of Africa, from where it spreads regularly to Southern Africa and occasionally to North Africa, according to the OIE.

 

Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan had their AHS-free statuses suspended in 2018.

 

(Reporting by Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Alex Richardson)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-04-03

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[bangkokfrog]

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

...adding that the government was notified in late March of AHS in the country.

Seems like they are reacting to this more swiftly than they did Covid-19.

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, Puchaiyank said:

It was probably those dirty farang horses-axxs who brought it to Thailand...????

Well at least they can lay claim to Thailand Motorcycle Sickness that annihilates around 20,000 of their number every year!

[ezzra]

From my experience, the locals don't waste anything if they can help it...Hopefully none of those poor animals meat will find itself into food stalls and food products...

[pookondee]

2 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

It was probably those dirty farang horses-axxs who brought it to Thailand...????

Congrats!!!

They really should have a prize for the poster who gets in first, for what will be xx,xxx farangs first thought.

 

Now watch this spot as x,xxx horses สรse's who dont read the comments post exactly the same thing. 

[30la]

No curfew for horses? ...????

[Phuketshrew]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Myanmar and Kyrgyzstan had their AHS-free statuses suspended in 2018.

I think it's clear from the OP that this is another one they can pin on the Burmese.

[nobodysfriend]

56 minutes ago, lozzagee said:

NO Khun Puchaiyank, more likely the zebra, natural carrier of african horse sickeness, imported into horse farm in Pak Chong. Virus spread by biting midges. Will now probably spread all over SE Asia as requires super effort from disciplined industry to control. An animal COVID situation in the making.

Can Covid be transmitted by mosquitos ?

[ParkerN]

1 hour ago, nobodysfriend said:

Can Covid be transmitted by mosquitos ?

Evidently not. I'm pretty sure I saw that debunked a while ago.

 

 

 

[bendejo]

Horse sickness spread via the horse dance.  Korean no good!

It took a few years to incubate.

 

 

[atyclb]

please change name of disease cause "african horse sickness" is racist

[TKDfella]

AHS is native in Zebra which carry the virus but don't appear to suffer. According to what I read a couple of years ago non-native horses in Africa had a very high mortality rate and was not controlled until a vaccine was produced last century. So my question would be...were any Thai horses in close proximity to a Zebra, perhaps one recently introduced to a Thai Zoo?

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, bangkokfrog said:

Seems like they are reacting to this more swiftly than they did Covid-19.

Horses are worth more than people

[Olmate]

13 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

AHS is native in Zebra which carry the virus but don't appear to suffer. According to what I read a couple of years ago non-native horses in Africa had a very high mortality rate and was not controlled until a vaccine was produced last century. So my question would be...were any Thai horses in close proximity to a Zebra, perhaps one recently introduced to a Thai Zoo?

Hendra  horse Virus ,also thought to be  transmitted via bats, was found in Australia in Queensland about 1995. 70% death rate of horses infected and also 50% death rate of humans who had contact with those animals.             Bats are Protected species in Oz.   ....    You know it makes sense???

[IAMHERE]

What is the horse population in Thailand? What are they used for?

[Andy from Kent]

 

The only horses I've even seen in SouthEastAsia were in Vietnam.

[petedk]

2 hours ago, TKDfella said:

AHS is native in Zebra which carry the virus but don't appear to suffer. According to what I read a couple of years ago non-native horses in Africa had a very high mortality rate and was not controlled until a vaccine was produced last century. So my question would be...were any Thai horses in close proximity to a Zebra, perhaps one recently introduced to a Thai Zoo?

It was reported in the Thai news some days ago that a Zebra was imported to Korat. That is where the infection started.

 

Guess who lost a few horses that cost a few million baht! .

 

 

Edited April 3, 2020 by petedk

[petedk]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Horses are worth more than people

It depends who owns them.

[Olmate]

4 minutes ago, petedk said:

It was reported in the Thai news some days ago that a Zebra was imported to Korat. That is where the infection started.

 

Guess who lost a few horses that cost a few million baht! .

 

 

Polo anyone?

[itsallmine68]

Have never seen a horse in a Mask Do they even make them??? Could be an opportunity for someone

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, bangkokfrog said:

Seems like they are reacting to this more swiftly than they did Covid-19.

Yes indeed. They were probably race horses owned by the Generals and "Hi So's"!!

[petedk]

11 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Yes indeed. They were probably race horses owned by the Generals and "Hi So's"!!

Exactly. One of them owns a "ranch" out there.

He can fly there in one of his 4 aeroplanes. 

 

Just search Google 

Edited April 3, 2020 by petedk

[Jai Dee]

I have removed many off-topic and troll posts from this thread.

 

If you wish to discuss the effectiveness of masks and the COVID-19 virus, there are plenty of other topics available for you.

 

If you wish to discuss Thai politics there are likewise plenty of other topics available for you.

[natway09]

That is why Austrakia & NZ have very strict Quarantine regulations for animals

sometimes up to 6 months in isolation.

Thailand has what ?

 

[PatOngo]

13 minutes ago, natway09 said:

Thailand has what ?

If you are rich and connected, anything is possible!

[Russell17au]

There is a horse racing industry in Thailand and most of these horses would be thoroughbred race horses.

Horse racing is one of the only legal forms of gambling in Thailand and its origins are from Europe when the then King visited Europe and first visited horse racing. The first racing club was founded in 1901 "Royal Bangkok Sports Club" followed in 1916 by "Royal Turf Club". Horse racing originally catered for the Thai aristrocrats and the dirty farangs. There were originally 10 race tracks but the one at Maha Sarakham has closed.

[marko kok prong]

What next,Cane toad's,actually good if they ate the cane,but i think they just lurk in there.

[kickstart]

1 hour ago, petedk said:

It was reported in the Thai news some days ago that a Zebra was imported to Korat. That is where the infection started.

 

Guess who lost a few horses that cost a few million baht! .

 

 

Yep ,it was on Thai tv last week ,the vector are  midge's ,the horse's  where in Pakchon ,as some one on tv said ,why the Zebra was not blood tested before going to Pakchon,Thai DLD,Department of Livestock Development should be responsible  ,but they struggle to restrain a stroppy beef cow ,so for them to restrain a Zebra, na let it go they would have said ,the rest is history .

[petedk]

42 minutes ago, natway09 said:

This is why bringing a horse into Australia or NZ has very strict quarantine regulations

& up to 4 months in isolation.

Thailand had what kind ?

I don't think there are any regulations.

 

I know of a Thai lady that has imported 2 horses, an American guy who imported his dog, and an English lady that imported 2 dogs. No quarantine rules there.

Actually I don't think the USA has quarantine regulations for animals either. My friend went back and took his 2 dogs with him.

[CLW]

Would be interesting to see the history of the import and the according documents and papers for the imported zebra to Thailand.