Outbreak of neuropathogenic equid herpesvirus 1 causing abortions in Yili horses of Zhaosu, North Xinjiang, China.
Authors: Tong Panpan, Duan Ruli, Palidan Nuerlan, Deng Haifeng, Duan Liya, Ren Meiling, Song Xiaozhen, Jia Chenyang, Tian Shuyao, Yang Enhui, Kuang Ling, Xie Jinxin
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary: EHV-1 Outbreak in Chinese State Studs Between January and March 2021, a significant abortion outbreak at the Chinese State Studs in Zhaosu, North Xinjiang, resulted in 43 abortions among 800 pregnant Yili mares, prompting investigation into equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) as the causative agent. Researchers conducted virological and molecular analysis on aborted foetal tissues and reproductive tract samples, combined with phylogenetic sequencing to characterise the virus and its relationship to known EHV-1 strains. The outbreak was confirmed as neuropathogenic EHV-1, with genetic analysis revealing a strain closely related to previously documented Chinese isolates, establishing this as the first formally documented EHV-1 abortion outbreak in China's commercial breeding population. These findings highlight a significant biosecurity gap in Asian equestrian operations and underscore the importance of serological surveillance and vaccination protocols in high-value breeding herds, particularly given China's limited epidemiological data on EHV-1 prevalence compared to Europe and North America. For UK practitioners, this outbreak reinforces that EHV-1 remains a genuine international threat and supports the case for maintaining strict quarantine procedures, pre-introduction testing, and ongoing discussion around vaccination strategies in breeding programmes and competition yards.
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Practical Takeaways
- •EHV-1 remains a significant reproductive threat in equine populations globally, including regions with limited prior documentation—biosecurity and vaccination protocols should be reviewed regardless of geographic location
- •Neuropathogenic strains of EHV-1 can cause severe abortion storms affecting large numbers of pregnant mares in a short timeframe, necessitating rapid outbreak response and isolation procedures
- •Clinicians should maintain diagnostic vigilance for EHV-1 in endemic regions and implement appropriate quarantine measures when abortion storms occur
Key Findings
- •An abortion outbreak of EHV-1 affected 43 out of 800 pregnant mares (5.4%) at a Chinese state stud in January 2021
- •The outbreak involved neuropathogenic strain of EHV-1 in Yili horses, a breed with limited prior documentation of EHV-1 infection in China
- •Molecular and epidemiological characterization of EHV-1 in Chinese horse populations revealed the presence of this serious pathogen