Seroprevalence of Equine Viral Arteritis in Horsesin Taiwan in 2012

摘要

Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is an equine disease caused by the equine arteritis virus of the Nidoviridae family, and affected horses may have respiratory symptoms and reproductive problems, which can result in large economic losses. However, no epidemiological researches of EVA in Taiwan have been conducted in the past decade. Here, we collected 217 equine serum samples from horses from 23 horse fields in northern, central, southern, and eastern regions of Taiwan since March to July, 2012. Samples were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Approximately 3.22% (7/217) of the samples were seropositive for EVA, and all seropositive samples were detected in the northern and central regions of Taiwan. Future research should focus on delineating the epidemiology of EVA. Furthermore, measures to prevent EVA outbreaks should be designed and promptly implemented.