Equine Grass Sickness: a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!
 
The first reported case of equine grass sickness (EGS) occurred just over 100 years ago, yet still horses, of all breeds and ages, are dying on a regular basis from this distressing disease, and the highest incidence is right here in the UK!
 
How can this be?  Surely, with all the veterinary expertise at our disposal we should be able to find a way of preventing, or at least treating it successfully.  However, the real problem with investigating new strategies for tackling EGS is not a lack of technical expertise, but a lack of basic knowledge about the disease; what are the true numbers of cases occurring each year, and where is most at risk?
 
The Animal Health Trust, with funding from The Horse Trust, is determined to rectify this paucity of basic information and has recently launched the first ever nationwide surveillance scheme.  This is a collaborative project with the Universities of Edinburgh and Liverpool, and the Equine Grass Sickness Fund. Using two simple questionnaires, the scheme plans to gather information on all current cases of EGS, as well as retrospective information on cases going back to the year 2000.  These two questionnaires are available for owners to fill in now.
 
This information will be handled in a strictly confidential manner and the scheme is calling for owners of affected horses, or veterinary surgeons with the owners’ permission, to submit case details which will enable the identification of trends in terms of timing and geographical areas affected.  Regularly affected premises which participate in the scheme will ultimately be invited to participate in vaccine trials which the surveillance scheme hopes to initiate based on the data obtained from the survey.
 
A detailed and accurate knowledge of this devastating disease is the key to combating it, but this can only be achieved with the absolute support of owners and veterinary surgeons who have encountered cases.
 
It is known that the number of cases of EGS increases dramatically between April and July and so now is the time for particular vigilance.  To report any occurrence of equine grass sickness, from 2000 to the present day, please contact Claire Wylie at the Animal Health Trust on 01638 552993 Ext: 1241 or email claire.wylie@aht.org.uk.  Further information about grass sickness and the surveillance scheme, is available at www.equinegrasssickness.co.uk, where both questionnaires can be viewed and downloaded.