{ "title": "Equine infectious diseases – pathogens on the lab request form", "language": "en-GB", "audience": "horse owners", "as_of": "2026-10-01", "source_document": { "document": "Request Form Infection – page 2 \"Testing for Equine Infectious Diseases\"", "lab": "Labor Dr. Böse GmbH, Harsum (DE)", "version": "2025-11-09", "legend": { "*": "performed by an accredited (partner) laboratory", "°": "not accredited", "cooled": "cooled overnight transport (24 h, ❄)", "BE": "bacteriological examination (culture)" } }, "legal_status_sources": { "woah_code": { "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Animal Health Code, ch. 1.3 – listed diseases (2024)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahc/2023/chapitre_oie_listed_disease.pdf" }, "de_meldv": { "org": "DE law", "title": "Tierseuchenmeldeverordnung (TierSeuchMeldV) 2026", "url": "https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/tierseuchmeldv/BJNR03D0B0026.html" } }, "uncertainty_rule": "Fields with \"uncertain\": true have conflicting, sparse or horse-specific-unconfirmed evidence; see \"note\".", "categories": [ { "id": "abortion", "name": "Abortion", "form_note": "PCR: dry swab, cooled 24 h · BE aerobic: culture swab · sample sites: lochia, endometrium, lung puncture aspirate (foetal), others", "general_tests": [ { "method": "Aerobic culture incl. resistograms", "sample": "culture swab", "code": "5020" } ], "pathogens": [ { "id": "ehv1", "short_name": "EHV-1", "name": "Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1)", "name_on_form": "Equine herpesvirus 1", "scientific_name": "Varicellovirus equidalpha1 (Equid alphaherpesvirus 1)", "category": "abortion", "also_tested_in": [ "respiratory", "cns" ], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "DNA virus (alphaherpesvirus, genus Varicellovirus)", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S7" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A very common horse herpesvirus. It causes airway infections, abortion storms in pregnant mares and a dangerous neurological form, and hides in the body for life.", "transmission": { "text": "Mainly by close contact and breathing in droplets from coughing or snorting horses; also via contaminated clothing, tack and buckets. Aborted foetuses, afterbirth and birth fluids carry huge amounts of virus. Latent carriers can restart shedding.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Fever, sometimes in two waves", "Nasal discharge and cough", "Dullness, poor appetite, swollen glands under the jaw", "Abortion in late pregnancy, often without warning", "Weak newborn foals that die within days", "Wobbly hind legs, urine dribbling, unable to stand" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Fever after 1–2 days, other signs 2–8 days; abortion weeks to months later", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab (cooled), EDTA blood; abortion: lochia, endometrium, foetal lung aspirate", "code": "1912", "context": "Abortion · Respiratory · CNS" }, { "method": "PCR panels with EHV-4 (+ EVA / + influenza)", "sample": "dry swab (cooled)", "code": "8620 / 8660 / 8720 / 8760", "context": "Abortion · Respiratory" }, { "method": "VNT (antibodies)", "sample": "serum, preferably paired samples", "code": "1910", "context": "CNS" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No known risk. WOAH reports no evidence that EHV-1 poses any health risk to people, including laboratory staff working with the virus.", "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Core vaccine in Germany: 3-dose course, 6-monthly boosters", "Vaccine supply has been patchy, so ask your vet", "Vaccinate the whole yard, not just single horses", "Pregnant mares: 2–3 doses, the last near foaling", "Quarantine newcomers 3 weeks; keep pregnant mares separate" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Vaccines reduce airway disease and abortion but do not prevent the neurological form. Infected horses carry the virus for life. During outbreaks, take temperatures twice daily.", "status": { "woah_listed": true, "woah_name": "Infection with equid herpesvirus-1 (Equine rhinopneumonitis)", "germany": "reportable – laboratories/vets report findings (TierSeuchMeldV § 4)", "germany_code": "lab", "germany_ref": "Annex 3 No. 31" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual 2024, ch. 3.6.9 Equine rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and -4)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.06.09_EQUINE_RHINO.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed., 06.01.2025 (copy hosted by bpt)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Impftabelle Pferd (StIKo Vet at FLI)", "url": "https://stiko-vet.fli.de/de/impftabelle/b-pferd/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: EHV-1 and EHV-4 (2025)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Equine-Herpesvirus-EHV-1-and-EHV-4-Guidelines-final.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Updated ACVIM consensus statement on EHV-1 (2024)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11099706/" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Equine herpesvirus infection", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-horses/equine-herpesvirus-infection" }, { "id": "S7", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: Varicellovirus equidalpha1", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=10326" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed type, transmission, signs, incubation, latency, zoonosis and vaccine limits. StIKo Vet (FLI) confirmed German vaccination and quarantine advice. Abortion timing, neurological signs and temperature checks from AAEP/ACVIM/Merck. Taxon from NCBI." }, { "id": "ehv4", "short_name": "EHV-4", "name": "Equine herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4)", "name_on_form": "Equine herpesvirus 4", "scientific_name": "Varicellovirus equidalpha4 (Equid alphaherpesvirus 4)", "category": "abortion", "also_tested_in": [ "respiratory" ], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "DNA virus (alphaherpesvirus, genus Varicellovirus)", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "The most common viral cause of airway infection in horses. Usually a mild fever and runny nose, rarely abortion. Like EHV-1, it stays in the body for life.", "transmission": { "text": "Breathing in droplets and close contact with infected horses, plus contaminated tack, buckets and clothing. Common at shows and where young horses mix. Carriers can reactivate and shed the virus under stress.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Fever, usually milder than with EHV-1", "Nasal discharge", "Cough", "Dullness and poor appetite", "Swollen glands under the jaw", "Rarely abortion or neurological signs" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Usually 2–8 days; fever may start within 1–2 days", "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab (cooled), EDTA blood; abortion: lochia, endometrium, foetal lung aspirate", "code": "1942", "context": "Abortion · Respiratory" }, { "method": "PCR panels with EHV-1 (+ EVA / + influenza)", "sample": "dry swab (cooled)", "code": "8620 / 8660 / 8720 / 8760", "context": "Abortion · Respiratory" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No known risk. WOAH reports no evidence that EHV-4 poses any health risk to people, including laboratory staff working with the virus.", "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Core vaccine in Germany: 3-dose course, 6-monthly boosters", "Combined EHV-1/EHV-4 vaccine is licensed in Germany", "Vaccinate the whole yard, not just single horses", "Quarantine newcomers for 3 weeks", "Reduce stress; isolate horses with fever or discharge" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Most horses are infected young and reinfected repeatedly. EHV-4 stays dormant in a nerve cluster in the head and can reactivate under stress.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual 2024, ch. 3.6.9 Equine rhinopneumonitis (EHV-1 and -4)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.06.09_EQUINE_RHINO.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed., 06.01.2025 (copy hosted by bpt)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Impftabelle Pferd (StIKo Vet at FLI)", "url": "https://stiko-vet.fli.de/de/impftabelle/b-pferd/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: EHV-1 and EHV-4 (2025)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Equine-Herpesvirus-EHV-1-and-EHV-4-Guidelines-final.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: Varicellovirus equidalpha4", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=10331" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed type, transmission, signs, incubation, latency and zoonosis. StIKo Vet (FLI) confirmed EHV-4 specifics, German vaccines and quarantine. Swollen glands, fomites and early fever from AAEP. Taxon from NCBI." }, { "id": "eva", "short_name": "EVA", "name": "Equine viral arteritis (EVA)", "name_on_form": "Equine arteritis virus", "scientific_name": "Alphaarterivirus equid (equine arteritis virus, EAV)", "category": "abortion", "also_tested_in": [ "respiratory", "additional" ], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "Enveloped RNA virus (arterivirus, family Arteriviridae)", "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A contagious virus spread by breathing and by breeding. Often silent, it can cause fever, swelling and abortion, and some stallions shed it in semen for years.", "transmission": { "text": "By droplets from acutely infected horses and by mating or artificial insemination with infected semen. Carrier stallions are the main reservoir. Urine, aborted foetuses, afterbirth and contaminated equipment can also spread it.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Often no signs at all", "Fever, dullness and poor appetite", "Swelling of legs, belly, scrotum or sheath", "Red, runny eyes ('pink eye'), swollen eyelids", "Nasal discharge and hive-like skin rash", "Abortion; severe pneumonia in very young foals" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Usually 3–10 days (range 2–14), shorter after airborne spread", "src": [ "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab (cooled), EDTA blood (cooled)", "code": "1502", "context": "Abortion / Respiratory / Additional" }, { "method": "PCR panel 2 (EHV-1, EHV-4, EVA)", "sample": "dry swab (cooled)", "code": "8660", "context": "Abortion" }, { "method": "VNT (antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "1500", "context": "Additional" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No. WOAH states the virus does not present a human health hazard, and there is no evidence that it infects people.", "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Inactivated vaccine licensed in Germany, from 9 months", "Vaccinate breeding colts before puberty to prevent carriers", "Blood-test before first vaccination; record in passport", "Test stallions and their semen before breeding", "Isolate new arrivals for 3–4 weeks" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Mares, geldings and young colts do not become carriers. Vaccinated horses test antibody-positive, which can block exports; the vaccine is not advised in pregnant mares.", "status": { "woah_listed": true, "woah_name": "Infection with equine arteritis virus", "germany": "notifiable – owner must report suspicion (TierSeuchMeldV § 3)", "germany_code": "owner", "germany_ref": "Annex 2 No. 8" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual 2024, ch. 3.6.10 Equine viral arteritis", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.06.10_EVA.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed., 06.01.2025 (copy hosted by bpt)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "FLI", "title": "National reference laboratory for equine viral arteritis", "url": "https://www.fli.de/en/institutes/institute-of-diagnostic-virology-ivd/reference-laboratories/nrl-for-eva/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Equine viral arteritis", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-horses/equine-viral-arteritis" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: Alphaarterivirus equid", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=11047" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed type, signs, transmission, carrier state and zoonosis; FLI confirmed carriers and German vaccine; StIKo Vet confirmed incubation and vaccination advice. Incubation range and quarantine from Merck. Taxon from NCBI." }, { "id": "leptospira", "short_name": "Leptospirosis", "name": "Leptospirosis (Leptospira)", "name_on_form": "Leptospira", "scientific_name": "Leptospira spp. (pathogenic species, e.g. Leptospira interrogans, Leptospira kirschneri)", "category": "abortion", "also_tested_in": [ "additional" ], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Spiral-shaped bacterium (spirochaete) with many serovars", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A bacterial infection spread mainly in urine. In horses it is linked to abortion and recurrent eye inflammation (moon blindness). People can catch it too.", "transmission": { "text": "Contact with urine of infected rodents, wildlife or horses, often via stagnant water, wet soil or flooded pasture, or with aborted tissue and birth fluids. Recovering horses can shed bacteria in urine for up to 3 months.", "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Often no signs, or a few days' fever", "Abortion in late pregnancy (mostly after 8 months)", "Weak or jaundiced newborn foals", "Recurrent painful eye inflammation (moon blindness)", "Kidney disease: dullness, blood in urine (uncommon)" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "2–20 days to fever; abortion 2–4 weeks later; eye disease months–years later", "src": [ "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab (cooled), EDTA blood, tissue, urine°, aqueous humour°", "code": "1622", "context": "Abortion / Additional" }, { "method": "MAT (antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "1600", "context": "Additional" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "moderate", "text": "Yes. People are infected through urine-contaminated water, soil or animal contact entering skin cuts or mucous membranes. Farm workers, vets and water-sport enthusiasts are most at risk; illness ranges from flu-like to severe.", "src": [ "S1", "S4", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Recognised zoonosis, but horse-to-human disease cases are not documented (AAEP)." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Keep rodents away from feed, water and bedding", "Fence off stagnant water and flooded pasture", "Wear gloves handling urine, placentas and aborted foals", "Isolate aborting mares 3–4 weeks; test urine (PCR)", "No horse vaccine licensed in Germany" ], "src": [ "S2", "S5", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Leptospira can survive up to 10 months in water but is killed by drying and common disinfectants. Moon blindness tends to flare repeatedly and can end in blindness.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "reportable – laboratories/vets report findings (TierSeuchMeldV § 4)", "germany_code": "lab", "germany_ref": "Annex 3 No. 5" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual Chapter 3.1.12 Leptospirosis (2021)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.01.12_LEPTO.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Leptospirosis", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Leptospirosis_DZ_Guidelines_IDC_2021.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Leptospirosis in Horses", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/infectious-diseases/leptospirosis/leptospirosis-in-horses" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "RKI", "title": "RKI-Ratgeber Leptospirose", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/Ratgeber/Ratgeber_Leptospirose.html" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: licensed veterinary vaccines for horses (German licensing authority)", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. (Stand 06.01.2025)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed abortion, moon blindness, carrier state and moderate human risk. Horse transmission, incubation, shedding and prevention from AAEP/Merck; human side from RKI. No FLI horse page found; StIKo Vet and PEI list no horse vaccine." }, { "id": "chlamydia", "short_name": "Chlamydia", "name": "Chlamydia (equine chlamydiosis)", "name_on_form": "Chlamydia", "scientific_name": "Chlamydia psittaci (main species found in equine abortion; other Chlamydia species rarely)", "category": "abortion", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Tiny bacterium that multiplies only inside host cells", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A bird-associated bacterium that can cause late abortion and fatal illness in newborn foals. Infected placentas can give people psittacosis, a serious pneumonia.", "transmission": { "text": "Horses probably catch it from infected birds (in Australia, wild parrots), likely via droppings or dust. People are infected by inhaling material from infected placentas, aborted or sick newborn foals, or bird droppings.", "src": [ "S4", "S5", "S1", "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Bird-to-horse route suspected from genotyping, not proven; most data from Australia." }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Abortion in late pregnancy (about 8–11 months)", "Mare usually shows no illness beforehand", "Very sick newborn foals that die quickly", "Inflamed placenta and foetal membranes" ], "src": [ "S4", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Unknown in horses; in people usually 5–14 days, sometimes longer", "src": [ "S6", "S1", "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No incubation period established for horses." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab (cooled) – lochia, endometrium, foetal lung aspirate", "code": "5062", "context": "Abortion" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "moderate", "text": "Yes. Five vet-school staff and students caught psittacosis from equine foetal membranes; further cases are suspected. Infection is by inhalation and causes fever, headache and pneumonia. Foaling staff and vets are most exposed.", "src": [ "S4", "S5", "S6", "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Horse-linked human cases reported mainly from Australia; European evidence limited." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Gloves and mask when handling placentas or aborted foals", "Have every abortion investigated by a laboratory", "Keep wild birds away from feed and water", "No vaccine for horses licensed in Germany" ], "src": [ "S1", "S6", "S7" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No horse-specific prevention studies; measures derived from bird reservoir and human exposure reports." }, "good_to_know": "C. psittaci has also been found in equine abortions in Europe, including Germany. Dried bird material can stay infectious for about four weeks. Australian cases cluster in winter and spring.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual Chapter 3.3.1 Avian chlamydiosis (2018)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.03.01_AVIAN_CHLAMYD.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "FLI", "title": "WOAH and National Reference Laboratory for Chlamydiosis", "url": "https://www.fli.de/en/institutes/institute-of-molecular-pathogenesis-imp/reference-laboratories/woah-and-nrl-for-chlamydiosis/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "RKI", "title": "RKI-Ratgeber Chlamydiosen (Teil 2): Chlamydia psittaci", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/Ratgeber/Ratgeber_Chlamydiosen_Teil2.html" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Epizootic of C. psittaci equine reproductive loss, suspected parrot spillover (Emerg Microbes Infect 2018)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5953950/" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "25-year retrospective study of C. psittaci in equine reproductive loss in Australia (J Med Microbiol 2021)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8131020/" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "Other", "title": "Equine psittacosis in southeastern Australia: retrospective analysis (Animals 2023)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10416985/" }, { "id": "S7", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: licensed veterinary vaccines for horses (German licensing authority)", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirms C. psittaci in horses, inhalation route and human disease; FLI confirms zoonosis. Equine signs, human cluster and European detections from peer-reviewed Australian studies. Horse incubation and transmission route not established." } ], "also_tested_here": [] }, { "id": "respiratory", "name": "Respiratory Disorders", "general_tests": [], "pathogens": [ { "id": "influenza", "short_name": "Equine influenza", "name": "Equine influenza virus (equine flu)", "name_on_form": "Equine influenza A virus", "scientific_name": "Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae (influenza A virus, subtype H3N8)", "category": "respiratory", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "RNA virus (influenza A, H3N8; family Orthomyxoviridae)", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "Highly contagious 'horse flu' that spreads fast through yards and events. Rarely fatal, but causes fever, harsh cough and weeks off work; vaccination is core in Germany.", "transmission": { "text": "Breathing in droplets from coughing horses (airborne up to about 40 m) and close contact. People, vehicles, tack and buckets can carry it. Vaccinated horses may shed virus without showing signs.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "High fever", "Harsh, dry cough that can last weeks", "Watery nasal discharge, later thick if bacteria join", "Milder or missing signs in vaccinated horses", "Rarely pneumonia in young foals and donkeys" ], "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "1–3 days; can be under 24 hours", "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "HI (antibodies), A equi II European and American type", "sample": "serum", "code": "2055, 2060", "context": "Respiratory" }, { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab (cooled)", "code": "2075", "context": "Respiratory" }, { "method": "PCR panel 2 (EHV-1, EHV-4, influenza)", "sample": "dry swab", "code": "8760", "context": "Respiratory" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Very unlikely. Equine flu has not been shown to cause illness in people; antibodies were found mainly in people exposed through their work. It has spread to dogs.", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No human illness shown; only antibodies in occupationally exposed people (WOAH)." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Core vaccine in Germany: 3-dose course, 6-monthly boosters", "Low-risk horses at home: 12-monthly may suffice", "Choose vaccines with current Florida clade 1/2 strains", "Follow competition vaccination rules (e.g. FN)", "Isolate sick horses until 21 days after recovery" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Rest at least 3 weeks after illness, about one week per day of fever, because damaged airways need around 3 weeks to heal.", "status": { "woah_listed": true, "woah_name": "Infection with equine influenza virus", "germany": "reportable – laboratories/vets report findings (TierSeuchMeldV § 4)", "germany_code": "lab", "germany_ref": "Annex 3 No. 32" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual 2019, ch. 3.6.7 Equine influenza", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.06.07_EQ_INF.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed., 06.01.2025 (copy hosted by bpt)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Impftabelle Pferd (StIKo Vet at FLI)", "url": "https://stiko-vet.fli.de/de/impftabelle/b-pferd/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Equine influenza", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-horses/equine-influenza" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: equine H3N8 isolate, species Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?name=Influenza+A+virus+(A/equine/Richmond/1/2007(H3N8))" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed type, transmission, signs, incubation, zoonosis and vaccine strains; StIKo Vet (FLI) confirmed German vaccination and 40 m airborne spread. Cough duration, isolation and rest advice from Merck. Taxon from NCBI." }, { "id": "strangles", "short_name": "Strangles", "name": "Strangles (Streptococcus equi subsp. equi)", "name_on_form": "Streptococcus equi subsp. equi", "scientific_name": "Streptococcus equi subsp. equi", "category": "respiratory", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Gram-positive bacterium (Lancefield group C streptococcus), horse-adapted", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A highly contagious bacterial infection of the throat and head lymph nodes. It spreads quickly through yards, and some recovered horses silently carry it for years.", "transmission": { "text": "Direct contact and droplets from nasal discharge or coughing, and indirectly via shared water troughs, buckets, tack, grooming kit, clothing and hands. Horses that are incubating, recovering or silent carriers can all spread it.", "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "High fever (around 40 °C), dullness, poor appetite", "Nasal discharge, turning thick yellow-green", "Swollen, painful lymph nodes under jaw and throat", "Abscesses that burst and release thick pus", "Difficulty swallowing or breathing; head held stretched", "Cough" ], "src": [ "S1", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Usually 3–14 days until fever (StIKo Vet: mostly 3–8 days)", "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Culture (BE aerobic) + PCR + resistogram", "sample": "culture swab", "code": "5099", "context": "Respiratory" }, { "method": "PCR", "sample": "culture swab", "code": "5093", "context": "Respiratory" }, { "method": "ELISA (antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "5089", "context": "Respiratory" }, { "method": "Panel S. equi (equi + zooepidemicus): culture + PCR + resistogram", "sample": "culture swab", "code": "5094", "context": "Respiratory" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Very rarely. Isolated human infections have been reported, mainly in people with weakened immunity, who should avoid contact with sick horses. Strangles is essentially a disease of horses, donkeys and mules.", "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Merck: disease only in equids; ACVIM/AAEP: rare cases in debilitated people." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Quarantine newcomers 3 weeks; test before mixing", "Isolate any horse with fever immediately", "Separate staff, kit and water for sick horses", "Test recovered horses (guttural pouch wash, PCR) before release", "Vaccines licensed in Germany: for high-risk horses only" ], "src": [ "S3", "S2", "S1", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "About 1 in 10 infected horses become long-term carriers in the guttural pouches (air sacs behind the throat). Bacteria survive weeks in water but only days on dry surfaces.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. (Stand 06.01.2025)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "ACVIM revised consensus statement: Streptococcus equi infections in horses (Boyle et al., J Vet Intern Med 2018)", "url": "https://academic.oup.com/jvim/article/32/2/633/8449558" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Strangles (rev. 2020)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Strangles_DZ_Guidelines_FINAL_2020.pdf" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Strangles in Horses", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-horses/strangles-in-horses" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: licensed veterinary vaccines for horses (German licensing authority)", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "StIKo Vet (FLI) confirmed cause, transmission, signs, incubation, carriers and vaccines (Equilis StrepE live, Strangvac subunit; protection only months, not for routine use). Carrier rate, survival, screening and human cases from ACVIM/AAEP/Merck. Not covered by WOAH." }, { "id": "zooepidemicus", "short_name": "S. zooepidemicus", "name": "Streptococcus zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus)", "name_on_form": "Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus", "scientific_name": "Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus", "category": "respiratory", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Gram-positive bacterium (Lancefield group C streptococcus), opportunist", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A normal resident of horses' airways and genital tract that causes disease when defences drop. It is a leading cause of pneumonia, womb infection and abortion in horses.", "transmission": { "text": "Most infections come from the horse's own bacteria after stress, transport, viral infection or injury. Outbreaks between horses occur occasionally, and people in close contact can rarely be infected.", "src": [ "S2", "S1", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Fever, cough, nasal discharge (pneumonia)", "Fertility problems or uterine discharge in mares", "Abortion, premature or weak foals (placentitis)", "Infected wounds; navel or joint infections in foals", "Strangles-like swollen lymph nodes (occasionally)" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Not defined: opportunistic infections appear when the horse's defences drop", "src": [ "S2", "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No incubation period given in sources; disease is opportunistic." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Panel S. equi (equi + zooepidemicus): culture + PCR + resistogram", "sample": "culture swab", "code": "5094", "context": "Respiratory" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Rarely, but infections can be severe (meningitis, blood poisoning, joint infection). Cases mostly involve people in close daily contact with horses, sometimes with weakened immunity. Wash hands; avoid nose-to-nose contact.", "src": [ "S3", "S2", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Reduce transport and training stress where possible", "Clean wounds and newborn foals' navels promptly", "Wash hands after handling horses", "No specific vaccine licensed in Germany" ], "src": [ "S2", "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Few specific prevention data; measures derived from known risk factors." }, "good_to_know": "Healthy horses commonly carry it, so laboratories must distinguish it from the strangles bacterium, a closely related subspecies that is far more contagious.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. (Stand 06.01.2025)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP: S. zooepidemicus Infections (Boyle, 2025)", "url": "https://aaep.org/post/s-zooepidemicus-infections/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Transmission of S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus from horses to humans (Emerg Infect Dis 2013)", "url": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/19/7/12-1365_article" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: licensed veterinary vaccines for horses (German licensing authority)", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "StIKo Vet (FLI) confirmed normal-flora status, equine diseases and human host range. Pneumonia/placentitis role and predisposing factors from AAEP; human cases from Emerging Infectious Diseases. No WOAH coverage; incubation and prevention evidence limited." }, { "id": "rhodococcus", "short_name": "Rhodococcus equi", "name": "Rhodococcus equi (foal pneumonia)", "name_on_form": "Rhodococcus equi (syn. Rh. hoagii)", "scientific_name": "Rhodococcus equi (conserved name; synonyms Prescottella equi, Rhodococcus hoagii)", "category": "respiratory", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Gram-positive soil bacterium that survives inside immune cells", "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A soil bacterium causing slow-developing pneumonia with lung abscesses in foals aged 1–6 months. It is common on some breeding farms and early signs are easily missed.", "transmission": { "text": "Foals inhale dust containing virulent bacteria in their first weeks of life. The bacteria live in soil and herbivore manure; sick foals shed large numbers in droppings. It does not spread directly between foals.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Fever, dullness, poor appetite (easily missed early)", "Fast or laboured breathing, flared nostrils", "Cough or nasal discharge (not always)", "Diarrhoea and poor growth (gut abscesses)", "Swollen joints or lameness", "Eye inflammation (uveitis)" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Infected in first weeks of life; signs usually at 1–6 months", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Field incubation not precisely known; experimental 9 days to 4 weeks." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Culture (BE aerobic) + PCR + resistogram", "sample": "culture swab", "code": "5053", "context": "Respiratory" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Rarely. It can cause severe lung or whole-body infection in people with weakened immunity (e.g. HIV, transplant patients), usually from soil or manure. Infection in healthy people is extremely rare.", "src": [ "S1", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No vaccine available", "Hyperimmune plasma for newborn foals on affected farms", "Check foals often for fever and fast breathing", "Ultrasound screening on problem farms; treat selectively", "Remove manure promptly; sick foals shed many bacteria" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Survives over a year in soil. Adult horses are rarely affected unless immunocompromised. Many infected foals recover without treatment; unnecessary antibiotics promote resistant strains.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Rhodococcus equi (2025)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Rhodococcus-equi-Disease-Guidelines-Final.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Rhodococcus equi Pneumonia in Foals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-horses/rhodococcus-equi-pneumonia-in-foals" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Rhodococcus Infection in Animals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/rhodococcus-infection/rhodococcus-infection-in-animals" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "LPSN (DSMZ): Rhodococcus equi nomenclature", "url": "https://lpsn.dsmz.de/species/rhodococcus-equi" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: licensed veterinary vaccines for horses (German licensing authority)", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH, FLI or StIKo Vet. All clinical, transmission, prevention and zoonotic facts from AAEP 2025 guideline and Merck; taxonomy from LPSN; PEI lists no horse vaccine." } ], "also_tested_here": [ "ehv1", "ehv4", "eva" ] }, { "id": "cns", "name": "CNS Disorders", "general_tests": [], "pathogens": [ { "id": "borna", "short_name": "Borna disease", "name": "Borna disease (Borna disease virus 1, BoDV-1)", "name_on_form": "Borna disease virus (Bornavirus, BDV)", "scientific_name": "Orthobornavirus bornaense (Borna disease virus 1, BoDV-1)", "category": "cns", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "Enveloped negative-sense RNA virus (orthobornavirus) that attacks the brain", "src": [ "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A rare, usually fatal brain inflammation of horses in parts of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. The virus comes from a wild shrew; infected horses do not pass it on.", "transmission": { "text": "Horses probably pick up virus from urine, droppings or saliva of infected bicoloured white-toothed shrews, e.g. via contaminated hay, the nose or small wounds. Horses are dead-end hosts: no horse-to-horse spread.", "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Exact route from shrew to horse not yet established." }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Fever (up to 41 °C), poor appetite", "Behaviour change, dullness or aggression", "Empty chewing, difficulty swallowing", "Stumbling, poor balance, head tilt", "Compulsive walking, seizures, going down", "Death or euthanasia within days to weeks" ], "src": [ "S3", "S4", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "About 1–3 months", "src": [ "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Single source (LMU equine clinic); FLI and RKI give no horse figure." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "IFAT* (antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "2200", "context": "CNS" }, { "method": "PCR*", "sample": "cerebrospinal fluid (liquor), cooled", "code": "2204", "context": "CNS" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "People can develop fatal brain inflammation, but very rarely (about 5–10 cases a year in Germany, mostly rural Bavaria). The source is shrews, not horses; infected horses do not shed virus.", "src": [ "S2", "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Shrew-to-human route unknown; horse-to-human transmission never shown." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Store hay, feed and bedding safe from shrews", "Remove shrew food: pet food, compost, open rubbish", "Gloves and FFP2 mask when removing dead shrews", "No vaccine; treatment only relieves signs", "Isolate suspects until diagnosed; other diseases look similar" ], "src": [ "S4", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Shrews are protected and must not be killed. A definite diagnosis usually needs virus detection in brain tissue after death; blood antibody tests can give false positives.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "reportable – laboratories/vets report findings (TierSeuchMeldV § 4)", "germany_code": "lab", "germany_ref": "Annex 3 No. 8" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "FLI", "title": "Bornaviren (Tierseuchengeschehen)", "url": "https://www.fli.de/de/aktuelles/tierseuchengeschehen/bornaviren/" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "RKI", "title": "Humane Infektion mit BoDV-1: Merkblatt von RKI, BNITM und FLI", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Themen/Infektionskrankheiten/Infektionskrankheiten-A-Z/B/Bornavirus/Merkblatt.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "LMU Munich Equine Clinic: Informationen zur Borna-Virus-Erkrankung (2025)", "url": "https://www.pferd.vetmed.uni-muenchen.de/dateien/merkblattborna.pdf" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "LGL Bayern: Borna'sche Krankheit beim Pferd – information for horse keepers", "url": "https://www.lgl.bayern.de/gesundheit/infektionsschutz/infektionskrankheiten_a_z/borna/doc/infoblatt_pferdehalter_borna.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "ICTV Report: Genus Orthobornavirus", "url": "https://ictv.global/report/chapter/bornaviridae/bornaviridae/orthobornavirus" } ], "verification": "FLI and the joint RKI/BNITM/FLI sheet confirmed shrew reservoir, dead-end hosts, fatal brain inflammation and human cases. Horse signs, incubation and prevention from LMU clinic and LGL Bayern; taxonomy ICTV. Not covered by WOAH." }, { "id": "wnv", "short_name": "West Nile virus", "name": "West Nile virus (WNV)", "name_on_form": "West Nile virus", "scientific_name": "Orthoflavivirus nilense (West Nile virus)", "category": "cns", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "Mosquito-borne RNA virus (flavivirus family)", "src": [ "S1", "S7" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "Mosquito-borne virus circulating in wild birds, present in Germany since 2018. Most infected horses stay healthy, but some develop severe, sometimes fatal brain and spinal cord disease.", "transmission": { "text": "Spread by bites of infected mosquitoes (mainly Culex), which pick up the virus from wild birds. Horses and people are dead-end hosts: they do not pass the virus on, so infected horses are no risk to others.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Most infected horses show no signs", "Stumbling, wobbly gait, weakness, especially of hind legs", "Muscle twitching, dullness, loss of appetite", "Partial paralysis; may lie down, unable to rise", "Impaired vision, circling, difficulty swallowing, fits" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "About 3–15 days after the infected mosquito bite", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "ELISA IgM (recent infection)", "sample": "serum", "code": "2916", "context": "CNS" }, { "method": "ELISA IgM and IgG", "sample": "serum", "code": "2931", "context": "CNS" }, { "method": "PCR", "sample": "EDTA blood, cerebrospinal fluid (cooled)", "code": "2950", "context": "CNS" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "People are infected by mosquito bites, not by horses. Most have no symptoms; about 20% get flu-like illness and under 1% severe brain inflammation. Protect yourself from mosquitoes too.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Vaccinate: three horse vaccines are licensed in Germany", "StIKo Vet: vaccinate in affected areas and northern lowlands", "Two primary doses 3–6 weeks apart, then yearly boosters", "Complete primary vaccination before mosquito season starts in spring", "Reduce mosquito exposure and mosquito breeding around the yard" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4", "S5", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "About 8% of infected unvaccinated horses develop nervous signs; 30–50% of these die and survivors often keep lasting damage. Cases peak late summer to autumn.", "status": { "woah_listed": true, "woah_name": "West Nile fever (multiple species)", "germany": "notifiable – owner must report suspicion (TierSeuchMeldV § 3)", "germany_code": "owner", "germany_ref": "Annex 1 Sect. 2 No. 5" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual ch. 3.1.26 West Nile fever (2018 update)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.01.26_WEST_NILE.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "WOAH", "title": "West Nile fever – disease page", "url": "https://www.woah.org/en/disease/west-nile-fever/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "FLI", "title": "Anstieg von West-Nil-Virus Fällen in Deutschland (press release, 19 Sep 2024)", "url": "https://www.fli.de/en/press/press-releases/press-singleview/anstieg-von-west-nil-virus-faellen-in-deutschland/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "FLI", "title": "Tierseuchengeschehen: West-Nil-Virus", "url": "https://www.fli.de/de/aktuelles/tierseuchengeschehen/west-nil-virus/" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "West-Nil-Virus im Blick behalten (3 Sep 2024)", "url": "https://stiko-vet.fli.de/de/aktuelles/einzelansicht/west-nil-virus-im-blick-behalten" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. 2025", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S7", "org": "Other", "title": "ICTV Report: genus Orthoflavivirus", "url": "https://ictv.global/report/chapter/flaviviridae/flaviviridae/orthoflavivirus" } ], "verification": "WOAH, FLI and StIKo Vet confirmed all fields. Mortality differs slightly: WOAH about 1 in 3 clinical cases, FLI/StIKo Vet 30–50%. Human figures from WOAH disease page; taxon from ICTV." } ], "also_tested_here": [ "ehv1" ] }, { "id": "diarrhoea", "name": "Diarrhoea", "form_note": "Sample material: faeces, preferably 50 g", "general_tests": [], "pathogens": [ { "id": "campylobacter", "short_name": "Campylobacter", "name": "Campylobacter", "name_on_form": "Campylobacter spp.", "scientific_name": "Campylobacter spp. (mainly C. jejuni and C. coli)", "category": "diarrhoea", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Spiral-shaped, Gram-negative gut bacterium", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "Gut bacteria carried by many animals and the commonest bacterial cause of food poisoning in people. In horses, their role in causing diarrhoea is still unclear.", "transmission": { "text": "Swallowed with faeces from carrier animals, directly or via contaminated feed, water or surroundings. Birds, poultry and other livestock are main carriers. Healthy horses may carry it unnoticed.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Hardly studied in horses; faecal–oral route assumed from other animal species." }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Often no signs; healthy horses can carry it", "Diarrhoea, but its role in horses is unclear", "Mostly found in horses that are already ill", "Foals: can worsen diarrhoea after rotavirus infection" ], "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S4", "S7" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Disease in horses poorly described; clinical relevance disputed." }, "incubation": { "text": "Not established in horses; in people usually 2–5 days", "src": [ "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No horse data found; human figure from RKI." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR*", "sample": "faeces (preferably 50 g)", "code": "5400", "context": "Diarrhoea" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Possible. People get diarrhoea, cramps and fever, rarely nerve or joint complications. Most human cases come from poultry meat; contact with animals is another route. Small children are often affected.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Common in people, but horses are rarely documented as the source." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Wash hands after handling horses, manure or tack", "Protect feed and water from bird and animal droppings", "Wear gloves when handling horses with diarrhoea", "No vaccine for horses licensed in Germany" ], "src": [ "S2", "S1", "S6", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Survives for a while in cool, damp places but cannot multiply outside an animal. Studies of healthy horses report very different carrier rates.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "reportable – laboratories/vets report findings (TierSeuchMeldV § 4)", "germany_code": "lab", "germany_ref": "Annex 3 No. 4 (thermophilic Campylobacter)" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual ch. 3.10.4: Infection with Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/fr/Health_standards/tahm/3.10.04_CAMPYLO.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "RKI", "title": "RKI-Ratgeber Campylobacter-Enteritis", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/Ratgeber/Ratgeber_Campylobacter.html" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Paruch & Paruch 2022, Enteropathogens in faeces of healthy horses (Microbiology Insights)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9008849/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. 2025 (rotavirus chapter, differentials)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: vaccines licensed for horses in Germany", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Equine Rotavirus A and B (hygiene with any diarrhoeic horse)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Equine-Rotavirus-AB-Guidelines-Final.pdf" }, { "id": "S7", "org": "Other", "title": "Liphook Equine Hospital laboratory: diarrhoea tests", "url": "https://liphookequinehospital.co.uk/laboratory/a-z-tests/diarrhoea/" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed type, carriage in animals and human disease; RKI the human side; StIKo Vet only lists it as foal-diarrhoea differential. Horse-specific disease, transmission and incubation could not be confirmed authoritatively." }, { "id": "cdifficile", "short_name": "C. difficile", "name": "Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile)", "name_on_form": "Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile – toxin genes A+B", "scientific_name": "Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile)", "category": "diarrhoea", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Spore-forming gut bacterium that lives without oxygen; toxins A and B", "src": [ "S1", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A gut bacterium whose toxins cause sudden, often severe diarrhoea (colitis). Antibiotics, hospital stays and feed changes raise the risk; young foals can also fall ill.", "transmission": { "text": "Hardy spores are swallowed from faeces or contaminated surroundings. Up to 10% of healthy adult horses and many young foals carry it. Illness follows disturbed gut flora, e.g. antibiotics, stress, transport or surgery.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Sudden diarrhoea, often dark, foul-smelling or bloody", "Fever and dullness", "Colic (belly pain)", "Dehydration and reduced appetite", "Foals: sudden bloody diarrhoea, can be fatal", "Sudden death in severe cases" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Unknown; possibly under 24 hours; after antibiotics usually within one week", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "AAEP: true incubation unknown because healthy horses carry it." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR for toxin genes A+B°", "sample": "faeces (preferably 50 g), cooled", "code": "5572", "context": "Diarrhoea" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Possibly. People get C. difficile especially in hospitals and after antibiotics. Horses carry strain types also found in people, but direct spread from horses is not proven. Older and immunocompromised people are most at risk.", "src": [ "S3", "S4", "S5" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Shared horse–human strains found; direct animal-to-human transmission never established." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Give antibiotics only when prescribed by your vet", "Change feed gradually; reduce stress and transport", "Isolate any horse with diarrhoea; clean thoroughly", "Disinfect cleaned surfaces with diluted bleach (1:10)", "No vaccine for horses licensed in Germany" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S7", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Spores survive heat, cold, drying and UV light for long periods. Never spread manure or bedding from sick horses on pasture. Foals can fall ill without antibiotics.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Clostridial Enterocolitis in Adult Horses (2025)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Clostridial-Enterocolitis-Disease-in-Adult-Horses-Guidelines.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Uzal et al. 2022, Clostridial Diseases of Horses: A Review (Vaccines)", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8876495/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Review 2019: C. difficile in food-producing animals, horses and household pets (Microorganisms)", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6955671/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Hain-Saunders et al. 2023, Genomic analysis of C. difficile from horses (Microorganisms)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10386058/" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "RKI", "title": "RKI-Ratgeber Clostridioides (früher Clostridium) difficile", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/Ratgeber/Ratgeber_Clostridium.html" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. 2025 (foal diarrhoea differentials)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S7", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: vaccines licensed for horses in Germany", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH; StIKo Vet only names it as a foal-diarrhoea differential and lists no vaccine. All horse facts from AAEP and peer-reviewed reviews; human side from RKI. Zoonotic route unproven." }, { "id": "cperfringens", "short_name": "C. perfringens", "name": "Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens)", "name_on_form": "Clostridium perfringens – toxin genes", "scientific_name": "Clostridium perfringens", "category": "diarrhoea", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Spore-forming gut bacterium that lives without oxygen; types defined by toxins", "src": [ "S2", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A normal soil and gut bacterium. Certain toxin-producing strains cause sudden, often bloody diarrhoea that can kill newborn foals within days; adults can develop colitis.", "transmission": { "text": "Spores are everywhere in soil and faeces. Foals may swallow them from the mare's udder or surroundings. Illness follows overgrowth and toxin production, often after gut upsets such as antibiotics or feed changes.", "src": [ "S2", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Newborn foals: sudden, often bloody diarrhoea", "Severe dullness, rapid collapse, death within 24–48 hours", "Colic (belly pain) and fever", "Adults: diarrhoea, dehydration, reduced appetite", "Sudden death possible" ], "src": [ "S3", "S2", "S1", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Unknown; illness can start within 24 hours; foals usually under 10 days", "src": [ "S1", "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "AAEP: incubation unknown because the bacterium is normal gut flora." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR for toxin genes°", "sample": "faeces (preferably 50 g), cooled", "code": "5582", "context": "Diarrhoea" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "People commonly get C. perfringens food poisoning from cooked food kept warm too long. No cases caught from horses are documented; basic hygiene around horses with diarrhoea is enough.", "src": [ "S4", "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No fetched source addresses horse-to-human spread; human illness described as foodborne (CDC)." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Keep foaling stables clean and disinfected", "Avoid sudden feed changes and unneeded antibiotics", "Isolate horses with diarrhoea; dispose of manure safely", "Call the vet at once for diarrhoea in foals", "No vaccine for horses licensed in Germany" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3", "S5", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Many toxin types occur in healthy horses, so a positive test needs interpretation. Type C is rare in healthy foals. Spores resist heat, cold and drying.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Clostridial Enterocolitis in Adult Horses (2025)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Clostridial-Enterocolitis-Disease-in-Adult-Horses-Guidelines.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Uzal et al. 2022, Clostridial Diseases of Horses: A Review (Vaccines)", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8876495/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Bacterial Diarrhea in Foals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diarrheal-diseases-in-foals/bacterial-diarrhea-in-foals" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "CDC: About C. perfringens food poisoning", "url": "https://www.cdc.gov/clostridium-perfringens/about/index.html" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: vaccines licensed for horses in Germany", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. 2025 (foal diarrhoea differentials)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH; StIKo Vet only names it as a differential, no horse vaccine. Horse facts from AAEP, Merck and a peer-reviewed review; human side from CDC. Horse-to-human risk unverified." }, { "id": "cryptosporidium", "short_name": "Cryptosporidia", "name": "Cryptosporidium (cryptosporidia)", "name_on_form": "Cryptosporidium spp.", "scientific_name": "Cryptosporidium spp. (in horses mainly C. parvum and the Cryptosporidium horse genotype)", "category": "diarrhoea", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "protozoon", "text": "Single-celled gut parasite spread by hardy egg-like oocysts", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A tiny parasite that can cause diarrhoea in young foals, often without symptoms. It matters because the main type, C. parvum, also infects people.", "transmission": { "text": "Foals swallow oocysts from faeces of other foals, mares or calves, or from contaminated water, feed and surroundings. Very few oocysts are needed. Healthy adults can shed them unnoticed.", "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Often no signs in healthy foals", "Mild to moderate diarrhoea lasting several days", "Mainly foals in their first weeks of life", "Severe disease mostly in foals with weak immunity", "Rarely any illness in adult horses" ], "src": [ "S4", "S3", "S5", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Not established in foals; 2–7 days in calves", "src": [ "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No horse-specific data found; calf figure from Merck." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "ELISA (antigen)°", "sample": "faeces (preferably 50 g)", "code": "5280", "context": "Diarrhoea" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "moderate", "text": "Yes; horses are a recognised source. People swallow oocysts from faeces or water and get watery diarrhoea and cramps. Young children and immunocompromised people can become seriously ill.", "src": [ "S2", "S1", "S4", "S6" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "RKI lists horses as source; European foal study found mostly horse-specific, low-risk types." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Remove dung and soiled bedding daily", "Clean with hot soapy water over 60 °C, then dry", "Keep foals away from calves and calf pastures", "Wash hands after handling foals, especially children", "No vaccine for horses licensed in Germany" ], "src": [ "S1", "S5", "S2", "S7" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Oocysts survive many months in cool, damp places and resist most common disinfectants. In a European study only 0–4.5% of foals were shedding them.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual ch. 3.10.2: Cryptosporidiosis (2022)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/fr/Health_standards/tahm/3.10.02_CRYPTO.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "RKI", "title": "RKI-Ratgeber Kryptosporidiose", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/Ratgeber/Ratgeber_Kryptosporidiose.html" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Cryptosporidiosis in Animals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/cryptosporidiosis/cryptosporidiosis-in-animals" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual (horse owners): Gastrointestinal Parasites of Horses", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/digestive-disorders-of-horses/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-horses" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Western College of Veterinary Medicine (Univ. Saskatchewan): Cryptosporidium in horses", "url": "https://wcvm.usask.ca/learnaboutparasites/parasites/cryptosporidium-species-horses.php" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "Other", "title": "Kostopoulou et al. 2015, Cryptosporidium and Giardia in foals in BE, NL, DE, GR (Vet Parasitol)", "url": "https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304401715002083" }, { "id": "S7", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: vaccines licensed for horses in Germany", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed type, transmission, oocyst survival, cleaning, foals as hosts and zoonotic species; RKI confirmed horses as human source. Horse signs from Merck/WCVM. Foal incubation not established. FLI has no specific page." }, { "id": "giardia", "short_name": "Giardia", "name": "Giardia", "name_on_form": "Giardia duodenalis", "scientific_name": "Giardia duodenalis (syn. G. intestinalis, G. lamblia)", "category": "diarrhoea", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "protozoon", "text": "Single-celled, whip-tailed (flagellate) gut parasite forming hardy cysts", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A common gut parasite of many animals and people. Horses, especially foals, often carry it without signs; illness in horses is rarely reported.", "transmission": { "text": "Cysts passed in faeces are swallowed, directly from infected animals or via contaminated water, feed or surroundings. Foals shed more cysts than older horses.", "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Usually no signs at all", "Soft, pale, foul-smelling or fatty droppings", "Diarrhoea, possibly long-lasting", "Weight loss from poor nutrient uptake" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Clinical giardiasis rarely reported in horses; no link with diarrhoea in European foals." }, "incubation": { "text": "Not established for horses; in animals cysts appear 3–10 days after infection", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "General animal figure (Merck); no horse-specific data found." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "ELISA (antigen)°", "sample": "faeces (preferably 50 g)", "code": "5270", "context": "Diarrhoea" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Possibly. Horses can carry types A and B, which also infect people, but proven spread from animals is rare. People get diarrhoea and cramps, mostly via contaminated water or food.", "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "RKI: zoonotic role of types A and B unclear; study suggests low risk." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Remove droppings daily; let stables dry thoroughly", "Clean with steam, boiling water or quaternary ammonium disinfectants", "Provide clean drinking water", "Wash hands after handling foals and manure", "No vaccine for horses licensed in Germany" ], "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Cysts survive weeks to months in cool, damp places but die when dried out. About 10–14% of European foals shed cysts, usually without diarrhoea.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Giardiasis in Animals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/giardiasis-giardia/giardiasis-in-animals" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual (horse owners): Gastrointestinal Parasites of Horses", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/digestive-disorders-of-horses/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-horses" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "RKI", "title": "RKI FG16: Darminfektionen mit einzelligen Parasiten (Giardia)", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Institut/Organisation/Abteilungen/Abteilung-1/FG16/Darminfektionen_einzellige_Parasiten.html?nn=16911082" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Kostopoulou et al. 2015, Cryptosporidium and Giardia in foals in BE, NL, DE, GR (Vet Parasitol)", "url": "https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0304401715002083" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: vaccines licensed for horses in Germany", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH or FLI. Horse facts from Merck Veterinary Manual and a European foal study; human side and zoonotic doubt from RKI. Horse incubation and clinical relevance not established." }, { "id": "lawsonia", "short_name": "Lawsonia", "name": "Lawsonia intracellularis (equine proliferative enteropathy, EPE)", "name_on_form": "Lawsonia intracellularis", "scientific_name": "Lawsonia intracellularis", "category": "diarrhoea", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Bacterium that can only live inside gut lining cells", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "Causes equine proliferative enteropathy: a thickened small intestine leaks protein, so weanlings lose weight and develop swellings. Diarrhoea is not always present; mostly autumn–winter.", "transmission": { "text": "Not fully known; probably by swallowing faeces of infected animals. Wildlife, rodents and pigs may be sources. The bacterium survives up to two weeks in faeces at mild temperatures.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "AAEP: route unknown, faecal–oral suspected; reservoir unknown." }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Swelling under belly, on head, legs or sheath", "Rapid weight loss, poor growth, rough coat", "Reduced appetite and dullness", "Fever and colic", "Diarrhoea in some foals only", "Very low blood protein (albumin) on testing" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Diarrhoea frequency varies: 26% of 57 US horses vs 4 of 5 Danish foals." }, "incubation": { "text": "About 14 days", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "faeces (preferably 50 g)", "code": "5450", "context": "Diarrhoea" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No known risk to people. The bacterium also infects pigs and some other animals, but no human infections are known.", "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Limit contact with rodents, wildlife and pigs", "Isolate sick foals about 7 days; remove manure promptly", "Have thin or swollen weanlings checked early", "No licensed horse vaccine; pig vaccine sometimes used off-label" ], "src": [ "S1", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Mostly weanlings aged 2–8 months. About 5% of exposed foals fall ill. Recovery of body condition and protein can take months; affected yearlings may sell for less.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Equine Proliferative Enteropathy (2023)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Lawsonia-intracellularis-DZ-Guidelines-Final_0-1.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Bacterial Diarrhea in Foals (EPE section)", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diarrheal-diseases-in-foals/bacterial-diarrhea-in-foals" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Frazer 2008, Lawsonia intracellularis infection in horses 2005–2007 (JVIM)", "url": "https://academic.oup.com/jvim/article/22/5/1243/8450044" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Bohlin et al. 2019, EPE in Danish weanling foals (Acta Vet Scand)", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6407178/" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: vaccines licensed for horses in Germany", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH, FLI or StIKo Vet. All facts from AAEP guidelines, Merck and peer-reviewed case series (US, Denmark). Transmission route and reservoir remain unconfirmed." }, { "id": "rotavirus", "short_name": "Rotavirus", "name": "Equine rotavirus", "name_on_form": "Equine rotavirus", "scientific_name": "Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis (rotavirus A); rotavirus B also found in foals", "category": "diarrhoea", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "Non-enveloped double-stranded RNA virus (family Sedoreoviridae)", "src": [ "S1", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "The most common viral cause of diarrhoea in foals. It spreads extremely fast on studs and causes watery diarrhoea and dangerous dehydration, mainly in foals under two months.", "transmission": { "text": "Foals swallow virus from faeces of infected foals, via contaminated feed, hands, boots, tools and stables. Tiny amounts infect; sick foals shed huge numbers, and virus survives months in stables.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Sudden watery, high-volume diarrhoea, yellowish then grey", "Dullness, poor appetite; may stop suckling", "Rapid dehydration, can be life-threatening", "Usually no or only mild fever", "Very young foals: bloated belly and colic", "Prolonged diarrhoea from milk-sugar (lactose) intolerance" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Short: 12–24 hours (AAEP) to 2–6 days (StIKo Vet)", "src": [ "S2", "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Sources differ: AAEP 12–24 hours, StIKo Vet 2–6 days." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "faeces (preferably 50 g)", "code": "5262", "context": "Diarrhoea" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No infections of people caught from horses are documented. Equine-like rotavirus genes have turned up in human strains through gene mixing, so hygiene around sick foals is sensible.", "src": [ "S2", "S5" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Rotaviruses are classed as zoonoses; horse-to-human cases not documented." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Germany: mare vaccine at 8, 9, 10 months' pregnancy", "Foal needs enough colostrum within 6–12 hours", "Strict hygiene in foaling areas; avoid overcrowding", "Isolate sick foals; use virus-effective disinfectant, not bleach", "Never spread manure from affected studs on fields" ], "src": [ "S1", "S4", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "The inactivated vaccine (Equip Rotavirus) covers rotavirus A (G3) only and makes disease milder, not impossible; foals keep raised antibodies about 60 days. Rotavirus B is not covered.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. 2025 (Equine Rotavirus-Infektionen)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Equine Rotavirus A and B", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Equine-Rotavirus-AB-Guidelines-Final.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Viral Diarrhea in Foals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diarrheal-diseases-in-foals/viral-diarrhea-in-foals" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: vaccines licensed for horses in Germany (Equip Rotavirus, 2012)", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Cowley et al. 2016, Equine-like G3P[8] reassortant rotavirus in Australian children (J Gen Virol)", "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26588920/" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "Other", "title": "Nakagomi & Nakagomi 2025, Interspecies transmission of animal rotaviruses (Pathogens) – taxonomy", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12735868/" } ], "verification": "StIKo Vet (FLI) confirmed type, transmission, signs, survival, prevention and the German mare vaccine; PEI confirmed licence. Incubation conflicts with AAEP. WOAH does not cover it. Zoonotic statement from AAEP and virology papers." }, { "id": "salmonella", "short_name": "Salmonella", "name": "Salmonella (salmonellosis)", "name_on_form": "Salmonella spp.", "scientific_name": "Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica (many serovars, e.g. Typhimurium)", "category": "diarrhoea", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Rod-shaped, Gram-negative gut bacterium; more than 2,500 types (serovars)", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A gut bacterium causing fever, severe diarrhoea and colic, especially in stressed, sick or hospitalised horses and newborn foals. It spreads easily and can infect people.", "transmission": { "text": "Swallowed from faeces of sick or healthy carrier horses, directly or via pasture, feed, water, hands, boots, tools and flies. Stress, transport, colic, surgery or antibiotics make shedding and illness more likely.", "src": [ "S2", "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Fever, sometimes without diarrhoea", "Watery diarrhoea and colic (belly pain)", "Laminitis may follow severe gut inflammation", "Newborn foals: blood poisoning (sepsis)", "Foals: bloody diarrhoea, pneumonia, joint and bone infections", "Many horses shed it without any signs" ], "src": [ "S2", "S1", "S6", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Hours to days, depending on dose, strain and the horse's resistance", "src": [ "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Culture (BE aerobic) + PCR", "sample": "faeces (preferably 50 g)", "code": "5305", "context": "Diarrhoea" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "moderate", "text": "Yes. Salmonella types that make horses ill can seriously sicken people through contact with faeces, hands or equipment. Children, elderly, pregnant and immunocompromised people are most at risk.", "src": [ "S2", "S1", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "RKI: direct animal-to-human spread very rare; AAEP/WOAH stress real risk for handlers." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Isolate horses with diarrhoea or unexplained fever", "Keep newcomers separate; keep other animal species away", "Clean, then disinfect stables; use separate tools", "Wear gloves, wash hands; avoid pressure washing", "No Salmonella vaccine for horses available" ], "src": [ "S2", "S7", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Recovered horses may shed for 30–60+ days, a few intermittently for longer. The bacteria have survived 300 days in soil, 9 months in water, 30 months in dried faeces.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "reportable – laboratories/vets report findings (TierSeuchMeldV § 4)", "germany_code": "lab", "germany_ref": "Annex 3 No. 3" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual ch. 3.10.7: Salmonellosis (2022)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.10.07_SALMONELLOSIS.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Salmonellosis (revised 2026)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Salmonellosis-Infectious-Disease-Guidelines_final.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "FLI", "title": "FLI National Reference Laboratory for Salmonellosis in Cattle (zoonosis overview)", "url": "https://www.fli.de/en/institutes/institute-of-bacterial-infections-and-zoonoses-ibiz/reference-laboratories/nrl-for-salmonellosis-in-cattle/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "RKI", "title": "RKI-Ratgeber Salmonellose", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/Ratgeber/Ratgeber_Salmonellose.html" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. 2025 (foal diarrhoea differentials)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Bacterial Diarrhea in Foals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diarrheal-diseases-in-foals/bacterial-diarrhea-in-foals" }, { "id": "S7", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: vaccines licensed for horses in Germany", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed type, carrier shedding, susceptibility of young animals and zoonotic risk groups; FLI confirmed zoonosis status. Horse-specific transmission, signs, incubation, shedding and prevention from AAEP (2026). WOAH chapter has no horse-specific section." } ], "also_tested_here": [] }, { "id": "bacteriology", "name": "Bacteriology and Mycology", "general_tests": [ { "method": "Clinical sample – Panel 1: aerobic culture incl. ORSA, resistograms", "sample": "culture swab, native material", "code": "5043" }, { "method": "Clinical sample – Panel 2: aerobic & anaerobic culture incl. ORSA, resistograms", "sample": "culture swab, native material", "code": "5044" }, { "method": "Anaerobic culture", "sample": "culture swab, native material", "code": "5001" }, { "method": "Mycological examination without dermatophytes", "sample": "culture swab", "code": "5002" }, { "method": "Mycological examination incl. dermatophytes", "sample": "skin scraping", "code": "5046" }, { "method": "Blood culture, aerobic, incl. resistograms", "sample": "BC flask aerobic", "code": "5047" }, { "method": "Blood culture, anaerobic", "sample": "BC flask anaerobic", "code": "5048" } ], "pathogens": [ { "id": "orsa", "short_name": "ORSA / MRSA", "name": "MRSA / ORSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)", "name_on_form": "Oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA, = MRSA)", "scientific_name": "Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin- (oxacillin-) resistant strains (MRSA = ORSA)", "category": "bacteriology", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus strain resistant to many antibiotics", "src": [ "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "Antibiotic-resistant staph bacteria that horses can carry unnoticed in the nose. They can cause hard-to-treat wound and surgical infections and pass between horses and people.", "transmission": { "text": "Spread mainly by hands and direct contact, between horses and people in both directions, and via equipment. Hospital stays, surgery and earlier antibiotic treatment raise the risk. Most carrier horses stay healthy.", "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Usually none: healthy carrier in the nose", "Wound or surgical site infections that won't heal", "Infected catheter or injection sites", "Joint infection with lameness", "Pneumonia or womb infection (less common)" ], "src": [ "S2", "S1", "S3", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Not defined: carriers may stay healthy; infection follows wounds or surgery", "src": [ "S2", "S6" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No incubation period established for horses; RKI gives 4–10 days for human infections." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Aerobic culture incl. ORSA screening + resistograms (Panel 1)", "sample": "culture swab, native material", "code": "5043", "context": "Bacteriology" }, { "method": "Aerobic & anaerobic culture incl. ORSA + resistograms (Panel 2)", "sample": "culture swab, native material", "code": "5044", "context": "Bacteriology" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "moderate", "text": "Yes. About 1 in 5 German equine vet staff tested carried horse-type MRSA in the nose; infections are occasional. Risk is higher for people with wounds, diabetes or weak immunity.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Wash hands after handling horses, even after gloves", "Wear gloves for wound care; discard dressings safely", "Isolate infected or carrier horses", "Use antibiotics only as prescribed by your vet", "Disinfect treatment areas and equipment" ], "src": [ "S3", "S5", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Healthy horses carry MRSA rarely (0–6%), but rates are much higher in equine clinics. Most German horse MRSA belong to lineage CC398; spread into the wider community appears rare.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "MRSA from infections in horses in Germany: colonisers of veterinarians, rare in human infections (Cuny et al., RKI-led, One Health)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5441336/" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "MRSA in horses and horse personnel, 2000–2002 (Emerg Infect Dis 2005)", "url": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/11/3/04-0481_article" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Biosecurity and equine infectious diseases (Roberts, Encyclopedia of Agriculture and Food Systems 2014)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7152246/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "RKI", "title": "RKI-Ratgeber Staphylokokken-Erkrankungen, insbesondere MRSA", "url": "https://www.rki.de/DE/Aktuelles/Publikationen/RKI-Ratgeber/Ratgeber/Ratgeber_Staphylokokken_MRSA.html" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Antimicrobial resistance in horses (Steinman & Navon-Venezia, Animals 2020)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7401552/" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "Other", "title": "MRSA outbreak in a Dutch equine referral clinic (J Med Microbiol 2024)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11361372/" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH, FLI or StIKo Vet. Equine facts from peer-reviewed studies (incl. RKI-led German study) and a biosecurity review; human risk groups and hand transmission from RKI." }, { "id": "dermatophytes", "short_name": "Ringworm", "name": "Ringworm (dermatophytes)", "name_on_form": "Dermatophytes (ringworm fungi, e.g. Trichophyton, Microsporum)", "scientific_name": "Trichophyton equinum (main), also Microsporum canis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and other dermatophytes", "category": "bacteriology", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "fungus", "text": "Thread-like skin fungi that feed on keratin; spread by spores", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A common, contagious fungal skin infection causing round bald, scaly patches, often under tack. Rarely dangerous, but spores persist for months and people can catch it.", "transmission": { "text": "Direct contact with infected horses, or indirectly via spores on grooming kit, tack, rugs, stable fittings, transport vehicles and parasites. Infected hairs are the main source; some horses carry spores without signs.", "src": [ "S1", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Small raised tufts or hive-like lumps", "Round, bald, scaly or crusty patches", "Brittle hair that pulls out in tufts", "Mainly saddle, girth, shoulder, neck and head", "Itching variable, often absent", "Secondary bacterial skin infection possible" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "4–30 days; untreated, usually heals within 1–6 months", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Mycological examination incl. dermatophytes (fungal culture)", "sample": "skin scraping", "code": "5046", "context": "Mycology" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "moderate", "text": "Yes. People catch it by touching infected horses or contaminated kit, typically as ring-shaped, scaly skin patches about 1–2 weeks later. Dermatophytes are important zoonotic agents; some species spread to people more readily.", "src": [ "S1", "S4", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Own grooming kit, saddle cloth and rugs per horse", "Isolate affected horses; treat all in-contact horses", "Wash and disinfect kit and stables weekly", "Licensed vaccines: two doses 14 days apart", "Vaccines speed healing but do not prevent infection" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Spores survive months to years in stables, pasture and shed hair. Recovery speeds healing of later infections but does not prevent them. Fungal culture results take at least three weeks.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed. (Stand 06.01.2025)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Dermatophytosis in Horses", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/integumentary-system/dermatophytosis/dermatophytosis-in-horses" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual (horse owners): Ringworm in Horses", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/skin-disorders-of-horses/ringworm-dermatophytosis-in-horses" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "CFSPH Iowa State University: Dermatophytosis factsheet", "url": "https://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/dermatophytosis.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Paul-Ehrlich-Institut: licensed veterinary vaccines for horses (German licensing authority)", "url": "https://www.pei.de/DE/arzneimittel/tierarzneimittel/pferde/pferde-node.html" } ], "verification": "StIKo Vet (FLI) confirmed species, transmission, carriers, signs, incubation, duration, zoonotic importance, hygiene and vaccines (Equiphyt, Hippotrichon live; Insol Dermatophyton inactivated). Human incubation from CFSPH; lesion sites also Merck. No WOAH coverage." } ], "also_tested_here": [] }, { "id": "parasitology", "name": "Parasitology", "general_tests": [], "pathogens": [ { "id": "gi_worms", "short_name": "Intestinal worms", "name": "Intestinal worms (strongyles, roundworms, tapeworms, liver fluke)", "name_on_form": "Gastrointestinal worms (strongyles, roundworms, tapeworms, liver fluke)", "scientific_name": "Cyathostominae (small strongyles), Strongylus spp. (large strongyles), Parascaris spp., Anoplocephala perfoliata, Fasciola hepatica", "category": "parasitology", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": true, "type": { "group": "helminth", "text": "Parasitic worms: roundworms (nematodes), tapeworms and flukes", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "Small redworms occur on practically every horse farm. Heavy worm burdens cause weight loss, diarrhoea or colic, and wormer resistance is widespread, so base worming on dung tests.", "transmission": { "text": "Worm eggs pass in droppings. Strongyle larvae develop on grass and are swallowed while grazing; roundworm eggs survive years in the environment; tapeworms come via tiny pasture mites, liver fluke via snails on wet pasture.", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Often no signs with light burdens", "Weight loss, dull coat, poor condition", "Diarrhoea, sometimes sudden and severe (small redworms)", "Colic, including gut blockage by roundworms or tapeworms", "Cough and poor growth in foals (roundworms)", "Anaemia with heavy worm or fluke burdens" ], "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Eggs appear 6 weeks to 7 months after infection, depending on worm type", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "Given as prepatent period (time to egg shedding); signs depend on burden." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Sedimentation and flotation (egg detection)", "sample": "faeces", "code": "5200", "context": "Parasitology" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Liver fluke occasionally infects people who eat raw contaminated water plants, not through horse contact. Equine strongyles, roundworms and tapeworms are not known to infect people.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Only liver fluke documented as zoonotic; human risk of other equine worms not explicitly addressed." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Dung egg counts first; worm only horses that need it", "Pick up droppings from pasture at least twice weekly", "Worm and quarantine new arrivals before turnout", "Worm foals from 2 months, every 3 months", "Repeat egg count after worming to check it worked" ], "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Resistance is common: small redworms to benzimidazoles, roundworms to ivermectin-type wormers. One tapeworm treatment yearly in late autumn or winter usually suffices.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "ESCCAP Guideline 08: Equine gastrointestinal parasites, 2nd ed. 2019", "url": "https://www.esccap.org/uploads/docs/c14bnmhx_0796_ESCCAP_Guideline_GL8_v10_1p.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "WHO fact sheet: Foodborne trematode infections", "url": "https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/foodborne-trematode-infections" } ], "verification": "No WOAH, FLI or StIKo Vet coverage. All horse fields from ESCCAP GL8 (2nd ed., 2019); the human liver fluke route is from WHO. Incubation is given as time to egg shedding (prepatent period)." }, { "id": "lungworm", "short_name": "Lungworm", "name": "Lungworm (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi)", "name_on_form": "Lungworm (Dictyocaulus arnfieldi)", "scientific_name": "Dictyocaulus arnfieldi", "category": "parasitology", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "helminth", "text": "Parasitic roundworm (nematode) living in the airways", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A roundworm living in the airways that donkeys carry, usually without signs. Horses grazing with donkeys can develop a stubborn cough that does not respond to antibiotics.", "transmission": { "text": "Larvae pass in droppings, mainly from donkeys, and develop on pasture. Horses swallow them while grazing. Adult horses rarely shed larvae, so donkeys are the main source of pasture contamination.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Persistent cough, the most common sign", "Cough not improving with antibiotics", "Thick nasal discharge from both nostrils", "Faster or laboured breathing", "Weight loss, poor condition", "Donkeys usually show no signs" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "About 3 months until larvae appear; time to first cough unclear", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Only the prepatent period (about 3 months) is documented." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Migration technique (Baermann) – larvae detection", "sample": "faeces", "code": "5202", "context": "Parasitology" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "Not known to infect people. This lungworm lives in donkeys, horses and mules.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No fetched source addresses human infection; known hosts are equids only." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "Avoid grazing horses with donkeys, the main source", "Include donkeys in the yard's worm control plan", "Standard wormers such as ivermectin or moxidectin work" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "In horses the worms rarely mature, so dung tests often miss them; an airway wash by the vet is more reliable.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "ESCCAP Guideline 08: Equine gastrointestinal parasites, 2nd ed. 2019", "url": "https://www.esccap.org/uploads/docs/c14bnmhx_0796_ESCCAP_Guideline_GL8_v10_1p.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Lungworm Infection in Animals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/lungworm-infection/lungworm-infection-in-animals" } ], "verification": "No WOAH, FLI or StIKo Vet coverage. All fields from ESCCAP GL8 (2nd ed., 2019) and Merck Veterinary Manual. They differ on which age group is worst affected, so this was omitted. Human infection not addressed." } ], "also_tested_here": [] }, { "id": "tickborne", "name": "Tick-borne Diseases", "general_tests": [], "pathogens": [ { "id": "piroplasmosis", "short_name": "Piroplasmosis", "name": "Equine piroplasmosis (Theileria equi, Babesia caballi)", "name_on_form": "Theileria equi and Babesia caballi (equine piroplasmosis)", "scientific_name": "Theileria equi (formerly Babesia equi) and Babesia caballi", "category": "tickborne", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "protozoon", "text": "Tick-borne single-celled parasites of red blood cells", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "Two tick-borne blood parasites that destroy red blood cells, causing fever and anaemia. Recovered horses often stay carriers, and a few horses have now caught it in Germany.", "transmission": { "text": "Spread by ticks (Dermacentor, Rhipicephalus, Hyalomma; in Germany especially the spreading ornate dog tick, Dermacentor reticulatus). Also via blood on shared needles, instruments or transfusions, and T. equi from mare to foal.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S4", "S5", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "High fever, often above 40 °C", "Dullness, poor appetite, fast breathing and pulse", "Anaemia and jaundice (pale or yellow gums)", "Dark red urine", "Swollen legs, colic or diarrhoea", "Chronic form: weight loss, poor performance" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S5", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "T. equi 12–19 days; B. caballi about 10–30 days", "src": [ "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR (direct detection)", "sample": "EDTA blood", "code": "1020, 1120", "context": "Tick-borne" }, { "method": "IFAT (antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "1001, 1101", "context": "Tick-borne" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "Not shown to infect people. Human babesiosis in Europe is mainly caused by other species, such as the cattle parasite Babesia divergens, not horse parasites.", "src": [ "S3", "S4", "S7" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No vaccine is available", "Daily tick checks; repellents help but protection is limited", "New sterile needle per horse; never share instruments", "Blood-test imported or travelling horses; screen blood donors" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S4", "S6" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "T. equi is more severe and usually persists for life, often even after treatment; B. caballi usually clears within about 4 years. Healthy-looking carriers can infect ticks.", "status": { "woah_listed": true, "woah_name": "Infection with Theileria equi and Babesia caballi (Equine piroplasmosis)", "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual ch. 3.6.7 Equine piroplasmosis (2021 update)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.06.07_EQUINE_PIROPLASMOSIS.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Technical disease card: Equine piroplasmosis", "url": "https://www.woah.org/app/uploads/2021/03/equine-piroplasmosis-1.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Equine piroplasmosis – disease page", "url": "https://www.woah.org/en/disease/equine-piroplasmosis/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Equine Piroplasmosis (2021)", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AAEPEquinePiroplasmosisGuidelines2021.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research (Pathogens 2020, review)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7695325/" }, { "id": "S6", "org": "Other", "title": "Die equine Piroplasmose: Fokus Deutschland (Tierärztl. Praxis G 2024, TiHo Hannover/Laboklin)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11835481/" }, { "id": "S7", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Babesiosis in Animals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/circulatory-system/blood-parasites/babesiosis-in-animals" } ], "verification": "WOAH confirmed agents, ticks, signs, incubation, no vaccine and non-zoonotic status. No FLI page found. Carrier differences from peer-reviewed reviews; AAEP instead calls both lifelong. German tick/case data from 2024 TiHo review." }, { "id": "anaplasma", "short_name": "Anaplasmosis", "name": "Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (Anaplasma phagocytophilum)", "name_on_form": "Anaplasma phagocytophilum (equine granulocytic anaplasmosis, \"ehrlichiosis\")", "scientific_name": "Anaplasma phagocytophilum (formerly Ehrlichia equi)", "category": "tickborne", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Tick-borne bacterium living inside white blood cells", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A tick-borne bacterium that infects white blood cells and causes sudden high fever in horses. Found wherever the castor bean tick lives, including Germany; antibiotics work well.", "transmission": { "text": "Spread by bites of Ixodes ticks (in Europe the castor bean tick); wild rodents and deer are reservoirs. Not contagious between horses, except rarely via blood (shared needles) or mare to unborn foal.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "High fever, sometimes the only sign in youngsters", "Dullness, reduced appetite, reluctance to move", "Swollen lower legs", "Yellow gums or eyes (jaundice)", "Pinpoint bleeds on gums or eye membranes", "Wobbly gait in some horses" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Usually 1–2 weeks after the tick bite; up to 3 weeks reported", "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR (direct detection)", "sample": "EDTA blood, tick°", "code": "2302", "context": "Tick-borne" }, { "method": "IFAT (antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "2300", "context": "Tick-borne" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Horses do not pass it to people. Humans can catch the same bacterium from tick bites (human granulocytic anaplasmosis), but cases in Germany are very rare.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No vaccine is available", "Check horses daily for ticks; remove them promptly", "Use permethrin-based tick repellents in tick season", "Avoid tick habitats where possible, e.g. woodland edges" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Peaks with tick activity in spring and autumn. Recovered horses are not known to stay carriers and are usually immune for at least two years.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "FLI", "title": "Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses: Working group Rickettsiology", "url": "https://www.fli.de/en/institutes/institute-of-bacterial-infections-and-zoonoses-ibiz/labsworking-groups/working-group-rickettsiology/" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/generalized-conditions/equine-granulocytic-anaplasmosis/equine-granulocytic-anaplasmosis" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Equine_Granulocytic_Anaplasmosis_DZ_Guidelines.pdf" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "VISAVET (Complutense University Madrid) INFEQUUS: Equine granulocytic anaplasmosis", "url": "https://www.visavet.es/infequus/en/equine-granulocityc-anaplasmosis.php" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "RKI", "title": "Zeckenübertragene Erkrankungen – FAQ", "url": "https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQs/DE/Zecken/Zecken.html" } ], "verification": "No WOAH or FLI fact sheet; FLI research page confirms tick vector, hosts and zoonotic potential. Clinical, incubation and prevention data from Merck, AAEP and VISAVET; human side from RKI. Incubation ranges differ slightly." }, { "id": "borrelia", "short_name": "Lyme disease", "name": "Lyme borreliosis (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato)", "name_on_form": "Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme borreliosis)", "scientific_name": "Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (syn. Borreliella); in Europe mainly B. afzelii, B. garinii", "category": "tickborne", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "bacterium", "text": "Spiral-shaped, tick-borne bacterium (spirochaete)", "src": [ "S2", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A tick-borne bacterium that infects many horses, yet proven illness in horses is rare. Documented problems include eye inflammation, nervous system disease and skin lumps.", "transmission": { "text": "Spread by bites of Ixodes ticks (in Europe the castor bean tick); transmission needs hours to days of feeding. Horses are dead-end hosts: no spread between horses or from horses to people.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Most infected horses never show signs", "Stiffness, shifting or intermittent lameness (poorly proven)", "Eye inflammation (uveitis), often in both eyes", "Nervous signs: wobbliness, facial paralysis, swallowing problems", "Rare skin lumps (cutaneous pseudolymphoma)", "Behaviour change, sensitive skin, muscle wasting (unproven)" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Only nervous, eye and skin forms well documented; lameness and stiffness poorly proven; data mostly North American." }, "incubation": { "text": "Not established in horses; antibodies appear about 3–10 weeks after infection", "src": [ "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No equine incubation period established; only time to antibody response is known." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR (direct detection)", "sample": "tick°, synovial fluid°, EDTA blood, cerebrospinal fluid, skin biopsy°", "code": "3012", "context": "Tick-borne" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "low", "text": "Horses do not infect people, but the same ticks transmit Lyme disease to humans. Check yourself for ticks after yard work; see a doctor for a spreading ring-shaped rash.", "src": [ "S2", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Not spread from horses; Lyme from the same ticks regularly affects people, so the level is a judgement." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No vaccine is licensed for horses", "Check daily for ticks and remove them quickly", "Use permethrin or other pyrethroid repellents in tick season", "Mow pastures; limit grazing near woodland edges" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Locally up to 30% of ticks in Germany carry Borrelia. Antibodies are common in healthy horses, so a positive blood test alone does not prove disease.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "ACVIM consensus: B. burgdorferi infection and Lyme disease in North American horses (JVIM 2018)", "url": "https://academic.oup.com/jvim/article/32/2/617/8449608" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "AAEP Infectious Disease Guidelines: Borrelia burgdorferi infection and Lyme disease", "url": "https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Borrelia-Burgdorferi-Infection-and-Lyme-Disease-Guidelines.pdf" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "VISAVET (Complutense University Madrid) INFEQUUS: Lyme disease", "url": "https://www.visavet.es/infequus/en/lyme-disease.php" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "RKI", "title": "Zeckenübertragene Erkrankungen – FAQ", "url": "https://www.rki.de/SharedDocs/FAQs/DE/Zecken/Zecken.html" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "LPSN (DSMZ): Borrelia burgdorferi nomenclature", "url": "https://lpsn.dsmz.de/species/borrelia-burgdorferi" } ], "verification": "No WOAH, FLI or StIKo Vet coverage. Fields from ACVIM consensus (North American data), AAEP, VISAVET and RKI; taxon from LPSN. Equine clinical signs and incubation are poorly established; European genospecies from VISAVET." } ], "also_tested_here": [] }, { "id": "additional", "name": "Additional Tests", "general_tests": [], "pathogens": [ { "id": "ehv2", "short_name": "EHV-2", "name": "Equine herpesvirus 2 (EHV-2)", "name_on_form": "Equine herpesvirus 2", "scientific_name": "Percavirus equidgamma2 (Equid gammaherpesvirus 2)", "category": "additional", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "DNA virus (gammaherpesvirus, genus Percavirus)", "src": [ "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A herpesvirus that nearly all horses catch as foals and carry for life. Usually harmless; its role in eye inflammation and airway disease is still debated.", "transmission": { "text": "Through nasal secretions and close contact. Most foals are infected by their mothers or other foals within the first months of life. Carriers shed the virus again from time to time.", "src": [ "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Often no signs at all", "Sore, runny, inflamed eyes", "Sore throat in foals", "Nasal discharge and cough", "Poor performance; possibly mild asthma in young horses" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Also found in healthy horses; a causal role is suggested but unproven." }, "incubation": { "text": "Not established for horses", "src": [], "uncertain": true, "note": "No incubation period given in any fetched authoritative source." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab", "code": "1922", "context": "Additional" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No known risk. No human infections are described in the sources consulted.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Sources do not address human infection explicitly; none reported." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No vaccine available (none listed by StIKo Vet)", "Infection is near-universal; avoiding it is unrealistic", "Have eye or breathing problems checked early" ], "src": [ "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No specific prevention guidance found; vaccine absence inferred from the StIKo Vet list." }, "good_to_know": "A positive EHV-2 test does not prove it caused the illness, as healthy horses often carry it. Foals usually test positive by five months of age.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Equine herpesvirus infection (EHV-2 section)", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-horses/equine-herpesvirus-infection" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Kinetics of EHV-2 and EHV-5 infections in mares and foals, three Polish national studs (peer-reviewed)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9031536/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed., 06.01.2025 (copy hosted by bpt)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: Percavirus equidgamma2", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?name=Equid+gammaherpesvirus+2" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH or FLI. Signs from Merck Veterinary Manual; transmission, latency and age at infection from a peer-reviewed study. No-vaccine statement inferred from the StIKo Vet list. Incubation and zoonosis unconfirmed." }, { "id": "ehv3", "short_name": "EHV-3", "name": "Equine herpesvirus 3 (EHV-3, equine coital exanthema)", "name_on_form": "Equine herpesvirus 3 (equine coital exanthema)", "scientific_name": "Varicellovirus equidalpha3 (Equid alphaherpesvirus 3)", "category": "additional", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "DNA virus (alphaherpesvirus, genus Varicellovirus)", "src": [ "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A herpesvirus spread mainly by mating. It causes painful blisters and sores on the genitals of mares and stallions, disrupting the breeding season, but is rarely serious.", "transmission": { "text": "Mainly by mating. Also spread by shared gloves, examination instruments and artificial vaginas during breeding work and artificial insemination. Horses carrying the dormant virus can shed it again later.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Small red bumps on vulva, penis or sheath", "Blisters that burst into painful sores", "Painful mating for stallions", "Discharge if sores become infected with bacteria", "White, unpigmented scars after healing", "Usually no general illness" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "About 4–9 days after mating or contact", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab", "code": "1932", "context": "Additional" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No known risk. No human infections are described in the sources consulted.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Sources do not address human infection explicitly; none reported." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No vaccine available", "No breeding until all sores have healed", "Fresh disposable gloves and equipment for each mare", "Examine mares and stallions before every covering", "Isolate affected horses until healed" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Skin sores usually heal within 2–3 weeks. Fertility and pregnancies are not affected. The virus can lie dormant in the body and flare up again later.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Equine coital exanthema", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/reproductive-system/equine-coital-exanthema/equine-coital-exanthema" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Equine coital exanthema: new insights (Pathogens, 2021, peer-reviewed review)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8398825/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: Varicellovirus equidalpha3", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?name=Equid+alphaherpesvirus+3" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH, FLI or StIKo Vet. All fields from Merck Veterinary Manual and a 2021 peer-reviewed review, which agree. Zoonosis not explicitly addressed by either. Taxon from NCBI." }, { "id": "ehv5", "short_name": "EHV-5", "name": "Equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5)", "name_on_form": "Equine herpesvirus 5", "scientific_name": "Percavirus equidgamma5 (Equid gammaherpesvirus 5)", "category": "additional", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "DNA virus (gammaherpesvirus, genus Percavirus)", "src": [ "S1", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A herpesvirus most horses carry without problems. In some horses, mainly middle-aged ones, it is linked to a serious lung-scarring disease (EMPF) causing cough and weight loss.", "transmission": { "text": "Probably through nasal secretions and close contact, as with EHV-2. Foals become infected early in life, before weaning. Infected horses carry the virus for life.", "src": [ "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Route inferred from foal studies; not specifically proven for EHV-5." }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Usually no signs in carrier horses", "Weight loss", "Cough", "Fast or laboured breathing", "Fever, which may come and go" ], "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "EHV-5 induces lung fibrosis experimentally, but its exact role in EMPF remains unclear." }, "incubation": { "text": "Not established for horses", "src": [], "uncertain": true, "note": "No incubation period given in any fetched authoritative source." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab", "code": "1952", "context": "Additional" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No known risk. No human infections are described in the sources consulted.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Sources do not address human infection explicitly; none reported." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No vaccine available (none listed by StIKo Vet)", "See a vet early for cough with weight loss", "Antiviral treatment exists; early diagnosis matters" ], "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No specific prevention guidance found; vaccine absence inferred from the StIKo Vet list." }, "good_to_know": "About half of horses with EMPF survive. A positive EHV-5 test alone means little, because many healthy horses carry the virus.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Equine herpesvirus infection (EHV-5 and EMPF)", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-horses/equine-herpesvirus-infection" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "Kinetics of EHV-2 and EHV-5 infections in mares and foals, three Polish national studs (peer-reviewed)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9031536/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Williams et al. 2013, PLoS One: EHV-5 induces pulmonary fibrosis in horses", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3795644/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed., 06.01.2025 (copy hosted by bpt)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: Percavirus equidgamma5", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?name=Equid+gammaherpesvirus+5" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH or FLI. EMPF signs, prognosis and treatment from Merck; infection in foals from a peer-reviewed study; causal role from a 2013 experiment (abstract). Incubation, transmission route and zoonosis unconfirmed." }, { "id": "adenovirus", "short_name": "Adenovirus", "name": "Equine adenovirus 1 (EAdV-1)", "name_on_form": "Equine adenovirus 1", "scientific_name": "Mastadenovirus equi (equine adenovirus 1; formerly Equine mastadenovirus A)", "category": "additional", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "DNA virus (adenovirus, genus Mastadenovirus)", "src": [ "S2", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A widespread respiratory virus, often found in healthy horses and usually mild. It can be deadly for foals born with an inherited immune defect (SCID), seen in Arabians.", "transmission": { "text": "By droplets and close contact with nose and eye secretions; the virus is also shed in droppings. Healthy-looking horses can shed it, sometimes for weeks after infection.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Often no signs at all", "Nasal discharge and cough after exercise", "Red, runny eyes (conjunctivitis)", "Fever and swollen glands under the jaw", "Soft droppings", "Severe pneumonia in immunodeficient foals" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Rarely linked to disease in healthy horses; serious mainly in immunodeficient foals." }, "incubation": { "text": "Not established for horses", "src": [], "uncertain": true, "note": "No incubation period for natural infection in any fetched source." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "PCR", "sample": "dry swab", "code": "1562", "context": "Additional" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "No known risk. No human infections are described in the sources consulted.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Sources do not address human infection explicitly; none reported." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No commercial vaccine; only experimental vaccines exist", "Genetic testing of Arabian breeding stock for SCID", "Isolate coughing horses and practise good hygiene" ], "src": [ "S1", "S4" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "Hygiene advice is general; vaccine absence inferred from StIKo Vet list and 2003 review." }, "good_to_know": "Healthy horses usually recover within 7–10 days. SCID foals often die of adenovirus pneumonia once maternal antibodies wane, at about 2–5 months.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "Studdert MJ: Equine adenoviruses, in Equine Respiratory Diseases (IVIS, 2003; University of Melbourne)", "url": "https://www.ivis.org/library/equine-respiratory-diseases/equine-adenoviruses" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "First molecular survey of equine adenovirus 1 in horses in Poland (Int J Mol Sci, 2026)", "url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13467118/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Overview of respiratory diseases of horses", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/respiratory-diseases-of-horses/overview-of-respiratory-diseases-of-horses" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "StIKo Vet", "title": "Leitlinie zur Impfung von Pferden, 5th ed., 06.01.2025 (copy hosted by bpt)", "url": "https://www.tieraerzteverband.de/bpt/berufspolitik/leitlinien/dokumente/impfleitlinien/Impfleitlinie_Pferd_2025-01-06.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: Equine adenovirus 1 (species Mastadenovirus equi)", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=46916" } ], "verification": "Not covered by WOAH or FLI. Signs, transmission, shedding and SCID from an IVIS review (2003) and a 2026 peer-reviewed survey; low clinical importance from Merck. Incubation and zoonosis unconfirmed." }, { "id": "eia", "short_name": "EIA", "name": "Equine infectious anaemia (EIA, swamp fever)", "name_on_form": "Equine infectious anaemia virus", "scientific_name": "Lentivirus equinfane (equine infectious anaemia virus, EIAV)", "category": "additional", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "virus", "text": "Retrovirus of the lentivirus group; infection lasts for life", "src": [ "S1", "S5" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A blood-borne virus disease with no cure or vaccine. Infected horses carry the virus for life, often without signs, so they are a lasting source of infection.", "transmission": { "text": "Spread through blood: mainly by horseflies and stable flies carrying blood between horses within about 200 m, and by shared needles, instruments or blood products. Also from mare to foal before birth.", "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Often no visible signs (30–90% of cases)", "Repeated bouts of fever", "Anaemia, dullness and weakness", "Rapid weight loss", "Swelling under the belly and on lower legs", "Pinpoint bleeds under the tongue or eyelid linings" ], "src": [ "S1", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Usually 1–3 weeks, but can be up to 3 months", "src": [ "S1" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Coggins test (AGID, antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "1200", "context": "Additional" }, { "method": "ELISA (antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "1202", "context": "Additional" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "People cannot catch EIA: WOAH and FLI state the virus poses no risk to human health.", "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No vaccine or cure exists", "Use a new sterile needle and syringe every time", "Never use untested or unlicensed blood products", "Quarantine and blood-test newly arrived or imported horses", "Reduce horsefly and stable fly exposure" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2", "S3", "S4" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Cases in Germany are sporadic and often linked to imported horses. Donkeys, mules and zebras can also be infected.", "status": { "woah_listed": true, "woah_name": "Equine infectious anaemia", "germany": "notifiable – owner must report suspicion (TierSeuchMeldV § 3)", "germany_code": "owner", "germany_ref": "Annex 1 Sect. 2 No. 13" }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Terrestrial Manual ch. 3.6.5 Equine infectious anaemia (2019 update)", "url": "https://www.woah.org/fileadmin/Home/eng/Health_standards/tahm/3.06.05_EIA.pdf" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "WOAH", "title": "Equine infectious anaemia – disease page", "url": "https://www.woah.org/en/disease/equine-infectious-anaemia/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "FLI", "title": "Tierseuchengeschehen: Ansteckende Blutarmut der Einhufer", "url": "https://www.fli.de/de/aktuelles/tierseuchengeschehen/ansteckende-blutarmut-der-einhufer/" }, { "id": "S4", "org": "FLI", "title": "Ansteckende Blutarmut der Einhufer – der Status quo", "url": "https://www.fli.de/fileadmin/FLI/Tierseuchen/Ansteckende_Blutarmut_der_Einhufer/Ansteckende_Blutarmut_2010.pdf" }, { "id": "S5", "org": "Other", "title": "NCBI Taxonomy: Lentivirus equinfane", "url": "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?id=11665" } ], "verification": "All fields confirmed by WOAH Manual, WOAH disease page and FLI pages. Fly-control prevention item inferred from FLI transmission data. Taxon (ICTV 2023 name) checked in NCBI Taxonomy." }, { "id": "epm", "short_name": "EPM", "name": "Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM)", "name_on_form": "Sarcocystis neurona (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, EPM)", "scientific_name": "Sarcocystis neurona (rarely Neospora hughesi)", "category": "additional", "also_tested_in": [], "derived_from_method": false, "type": { "group": "protozoon", "text": "Single-celled parasite attacking the brain and spinal cord", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "intro": "A parasite of the brain and spinal cord found in the Americas, spread by opossums. Elsewhere, including Europe, it affects only horses that have lived there.", "transmission": { "text": "Horses swallow parasite sporocysts (egg-like stages) in feed or water soiled by opossum droppings. Horses are dead-end hosts: EPM does not spread between horses.", "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "key_symptoms": { "items": [ "Stumbling or weakness, often worse on one side", "Wasting of muscles in patches", "Head tilt and other head-nerve problems", "Gradual onset; signs vary widely", "Rarely seizures" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "incubation": { "text": "Not established for natural infection in horses", "src": [ "S2" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No fetched source gives an incubation period for natural infection." }, "tests_on_form": [ { "method": "Western blot* (antibodies)", "sample": "serum", "code": "2800", "context": "Additional" } ], "zoonotic_risk": { "level": "none", "text": "Not known to infect people. Human Sarcocystis infections come from other species, e.g. in raw beef or pork, not from horses.", "src": [ "S3" ], "uncertain": true, "note": "No source explicitly excludes human infection; S. neurona is not listed among human Sarcocystis species." }, "prevention": { "items": [ "No licensed vaccine; former US vaccine withdrawn", "Store feed in closed containers; keep wildlife out", "Keep feed and water free of wildlife droppings" ], "src": [ "S1", "S2" ], "uncertain": false, "note": "" }, "good_to_know": "Many American horses have antibodies, but few fall ill. Stress and young age raise the risk. With treatment about 60% improve; under a quarter recover fully.", "status": { "woah_listed": false, "woah_name": null, "germany": "not notifiable or reportable", "germany_code": null, "germany_ref": null }, "sources": [ { "id": "S1", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/nervous-system/equine-protozoal-myeloencephalitis/equine-protozoal-myeloencephalitis" }, { "id": "S2", "org": "Other", "title": "ACVIM consensus: EPM – parasite biology, diagnosis, treatment, prevention (JVIM 2016)", "url": "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26857902/" }, { "id": "S3", "org": "Other", "title": "Merck Veterinary Manual: Sarcocystosis in Animals", "url": "https://www.merckvetmanual.com/musculoskeletal-system/sarcocystosis/sarcocystosis-in-animals" } ], "verification": "No WOAH, FLI or StIKo Vet coverage (disease not established in Europe). All fields from Merck Veterinary Manual and ACVIM consensus 2016. Incubation not established; absence of human infection only implied." } ], "also_tested_here": [ "eva", "leptospira" ] } ] }