Britains £3.4 billion equine industry is being put at risk by climate change. African Horse Sickness (AHS), a deadly virus carried by midges, is spreading due to warmer, windier weather. It poses a threat to horses and ponies in northern Europe, warns the Horse Trust.

The National Equine Forum in London, highlighted the need for awareness of African Horse Sickness. This disease is not currently present in Europe

Taken from Farmers Guardian and also Horse and Hound online.



Britains £3.4 billion equine industry is being put at risk by climate change. African Horse Sickness (AHS), a deadly virus carried by midges, is spreading due to warmer, windier weather. It poses a threat to horses and ponies in northern Europe, warns the Horse Trust.

At an awareness launch today, the Trusts chief executive and resident vet Paul Jepson called on the government to develop contingency plans and support research into the prevention and control of African Horse Sickness in the UK.

"This is not a scare, this is a reality that we must stand up to," he said.

African Horse Sickness is a viral infection which proves fatal in 90% of cases. Symptoms include fever, sweating, lack of energy and excessive salivation. The incubation period is usually 7-14 days but an infected horse can go from appearing healthy to dead within four hours.