Skip to main content

New contagious #skin #disease detected in #horses in #Sweden (State Veterinary Medical Institute, Feb. 11 '26)

Image
By G.M.

 


A horse in Jönköping County and one in Norrbotten County, both of which had blisters and sores on the skin on their legs, were found to be infected with a smallpox virus called equine parapoxvirus or horse parapoxvirus. It is an infection that has not previously been detected in the country.


The equine parapoxvirus was detected in our neighboring country Finland for the first time in 2021. The State Veterinary Institute, SVA, has performed DNA analysis of the virus in the Swedish cases and it turned out to be the same type as in Finland. The virus has caused outbreaks in several Finnish stables with severe skin inflammation on the horses' legs, so-called mug or rasp.

The typical symptom of parapoxvirus is small blisters (pox) that burst into round sores. The virus is transmitted by direct contact but also via equipment, clothing, hands and objects. Sick horses should be kept isolated from other horses. Use disposable gloves and special clothing when handling.   

– This is a new infection that has probably not yet gained a real foothold in Sweden. We have gone back and analyzed previously submitted skin samples from around 80 horses with skin problems in recent years. However, none of these carried parapoxvirus, says Gittan Gröndahl, state veterinarian at SVA.

Humans can also be infected with the horse parapoxvirus and get blisters/pox and sores on the skin. In Finland, a few horse grooms have had problems, but no human cases were reported from the two Swedish stables with sick horses. If someone gets pox or sores after visiting a sick horse, a doctor should be contacted.

– Our assessment is that the risk of further spread of infection is low at present. However, if there are signs of contagious foot and mouth disease, or if there are blisters or typical round wounds in the horse, virus samples should be taken. Keep in mind the risk of infection, and always use disposable gloves when handling wounds in horses, says Gittan Gröndahl.

Samples from suspected cases can be sent for analysis to SVA.


How is equine parapoxvirus transmitted?

· In direct contact between horses

· Indirectly via equipment, clothing, hands and objects

· People can also get blisters (pox) that burst into sores on the skin.

· There is no vaccine.


Think about hygiene

· Use disposable gloves when handling the horse's wounds, even small wounds.

· Wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling wounds.

· Do not share equipment between horses and stables and be careful with hygiene routines

· Contact a doctor if you develop smallpox or sores on skin that has been in contact with a sick horse.

Source: 


Link: https://www.sva.se/aktuellt/nyhetsarkiv/webbnyheter/ny-smittsam-hudsjukdom-paavisad-hos-haestar-i-sverige/

____

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#Neuroinvasive #Oropouche virus in a patient with #HIV from extra-Amazonian #Brazil

By G.M.
{Excerpt} A novel reassortant Oropouche virus (OROV) lineage (with medium [M], large [L], and small [S] RNA segments : M1L2S2) has driven Brazil's largest and most geographically widespread OROV epidemic , expanding beyond the endemic Amazon basin to establish local transmission across multiple Brazilian states and other previously unaffected Latin American countries . The rapid spread of this lineage underscores its evolutionary potential and reinforces its significance as a public health threat .1 Similar to chikungunya and Zika viruses, expanding arboviruses can exhibit unexpected clinical and epidemiological shifts , including vertical transmissions , neuroinvasive effects, and potentially fatal outcomes.2–4 Although OROV typically causes self-limited febrile illness, accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests neurotropic potential .5 This Correspondence describes the first confirmed case of neuroinvasive OROV infection caused by the emergent M1L2S2 lineage in ext...
Post a Comment
Read more »

No evidence of immune #exhaustion after repeated #SARS-CoV-2 #vaccination in vulnerable and healthy populations

By G.M.
Abstract Frequent SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in vulnerable populations has raised concerns that this may contribute to T cell exhaustion , which could negatively affect the quality of immune protection. Herein, we examined the impact of repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on T cell phenotypic and functional exhaustion in frail older adults in long-term care (n = 23), individuals on immunosuppressive drugs (n = 10), and healthy adults (n = 43), in Canada . Spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell levels did not decline in any cohort following repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, nor did the expression of exhaustion markers on spike-specific or total T cells increase. T cell production of multiple cytokines (i.e. polyfunctionality) in response to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 did not decline in any cohort following repeated vaccination. None of the cohorts displayed elevated levels of terminally differentiated T cells following multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. Thus, repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was...
Post a Comment
Read more »

Chimeric #hemagglutinin and #M2 #mRNA #vaccine for broad #influenza subtype protection

By G.M.
Abstract Since multiple and unpredicted influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics and even high-risk pandemics , developing a universal influenza vaccine is essential to provide broad protection against various influenza subtypes. Combined with the mRNA lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated (mRNA-LNP) vaccine platform and chimeric immunogen strategy , we developed a novel cocktail mRNA vaccine encoding chimeric HAs (cH5/1-BV, cH7/3) and intact M2 (termed Fluaxe), which confers broad protection against major circulating IAVs and IBVs , as well as highly pathogenic avian influenza . Two-dose intramuscular immunization of Fluaxe in mice elicited cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies , T cell responses, and long-lived immunity, resulting in robust protection against multiple lethal influenza virus infections and severe acute lung injuries . In particular, intramuscular administration stimulated systemic immunity together with a prominent lung tropism of memory cells . Moreover, Fluaxe immuniza...
Post a Comment
Read more »