African horse sickness (AHS) is a non-contagious viral disease transmitted by an arthropod vector and is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. The disease affects all equine species, but is more severe in horses and other equid species not native to Africa. Vaccination is the only demonstrated means of its prevention. The horse-owning public provides much anecdotal evidence of prophylactic strategies, such as repellents, stabling, alternate hosts, traps, paraffin, blankets, smoke or fans. The present study investigated the relationship of these strategies to the incidence of AHS, and evaluated alternate hosts, wind speed and repellents on the activity of males and females of the different Culicoides species.. Cypermethrin and citronella-containing repellents repelled the most female midges. Sheep and cattle offer an alternate blood meal to gravid and nulliparous female midges. Fans are very effective in keeping midges away from horses. Methods are summarised for the horse owner to implement in addition to vaccination to prevent AHS. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

African horse sickness virus causes a non-contagious, infectious disease of equids. It is epizootic to sub-Saharan Africa and parts of the Middle East. The epizootics caused by the virus have caused widespread devastation amongst equids worldwide. Fortunately no epizootic has lasted more than 5 years outside of sub- Saharan Africa. It is vectored by species of Culicoides midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) and most importantly by the two Avarita species of C. imicola Keiffer and C. bolitinos Meiswinkel. The literature pertaining to the study and research of the virus, the disease and the vectors is reviewed. Models allowing prediction of future possible outbreaks as well as details of control strategies and findings of researchers are presented and discussed. The virus needs a long term reservoir host in which to overwinter and various theories are discussed. Control measures in South Africa are suggested so that outbreaks of the disease can be reduced. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermarizburg, 2008.

African horse sickness (AHS) is a viral disease with high mortality rates, vectored by the Culicoides midge and affecting members of the Equidae family. AHS is endemic to South Africa, and, as a result, affects export and international competitiveness in equine trade, and impacts significantly on the South African racehorse and performance horse industries. AHS also has devastating consequences for rural and subsistence equine ownership. The protocol developed in this dissertation has the potential to serotype and confirm the AHS virus within a few hours at significantly less cost than current methods. It will ease the financial and time constraints of studying an outbreak in real time and has the potential to solve many of the unknown factors surrounding AHS, particularly and most importantly, the role that each serotype plays in outbreaks and the form of the disease contracted by horses. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.