Equine viral arteritis control scheme: a brief review with emphasis on laboratory aspects of the scheme in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To review laboratory aspects of the equine viral arteritis (EVA) control scheme in New Zealand between 1989 and 2002.


METHODS
The optimisation and performance of the virus neutralisation test (VNT) for equine arteritis virus (EAV) antibody, and the cell culture test to detect EAV in semen were analysed. Laboratory data and control scheme results were reviewed.


RESULTS
Using optimised tests, it has been shown that antibody prevalence in Standardbred horses has steadily declined from 54% to <20%. Prevalences in Thoroughbred horses have remained at a low level of around 3%. The number of horses shedding EAV (all Standardbreds) has steadily declined from a maximum at any one time of 20 to the current figure of three.


CONCLUSIONS
Eradication of EVA from the horse population in New Zealand is achievable in the near future.
Horner
G W
GW
National Centre for Disease Investigation, PO Box 40742, Upper Hutt, New Zealand. hornerg@maf.gov.nz