The monitoring of infectious diseases in Switzerland

Abstract

Since 1990 the surveillance of infectious equine diseases in Switzerland is provided by a monitoring-system ("Equinella"). It involves fortnightly returns from more than 40 participants which are distributed throughout the country (practitioners, three laboratories, the two veterinary colleges, the federal stud and the army). Equinella pursues the recording of viral, bacteriological and protozoal diseases and refers to equids of any breed and use; about 20% of the Swiss horse population of 50,000 horses is being monitored. So far, most reports referred to infections of the respiratory tract (strangles, EHV-4 and influenza); EHV-1 and Borna occurred every year. CEM only was detected once in the swab of a horse tested for approval as a stallion. Rhodococcosis and borreliosis were reported for the first time within the scope of Equinella. Salmonellosis was found occasionally. EIA never occurred, and clinical cases of EVA were notified only last year. Piroplasmosis and ehrlichiosis came up as sporadic cases.