The first outbreak of equine influenza in Japan
Kono, Y.; Ishikawa, K.; Fukunaga, Y.; Fujino, M.
National Institute of Animal Health Quarterly 12(4): 183-187
1972
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-951X PMID: 4661194 Document Number: 44956
In December 1971 an acute respiratory disease appeared and spread among horses in Japan. Haemagglutinating virus isolated in chick embryos from nasal swabs from sick horses was identified as equine influenza virus of subtype 2. The name A/equine/Tokyo/71 is tentatively proposed. The virus has essentially the same haemagglutinating antigenicity as the Miami strain of equine influenza virus, but is not identical with it. The neuraminidase subtype has not yet been identified. Paired serum samples from sick horses showed a rise in antibody titre against the isolate and Miami strain. Serological investigations revealed that this was the first outbreak of equine influenza in Japan.