European outbreak of atypical myopathy in the autumn 2009.
BACKGROUND
Atypical myopathy is an acute, severe rhabdomyolysis occurring in grazing horses. In the beginning of October 2009, a new outbreak occurred in several European countries. Geographic, demographic and clinical data of the reported cases in the month October 2009 are described.


RESULTS
The survival rate in this outbreak was 25%. The most frequently observed clinical signs were congested mucous membranes, dyspnea, tachycardia, depression, weakness, stiffness, recumbency, trembling, sweating, and myoglobinuria. Nonsurvivors were significantly more likely to be recumbent than survivors. Prognostic factors, symptomatic treatment, and preventive measures are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Differences were encountered during the described outbreak of atypical myopathy in October 2009 compared with previous outbreaks reported. Equine practitioners should be aware that previous epidemiological studies have shown that after a high prevalence in the autumn, new cases are likely to occur in the following spring.
Van Galen
Gaby
G
Equine Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liege University, Liege, Belgium. gvangalen@ulg.ac.be
Amory
Helene
H
Busschers
Evita
E
Cassart
Dominique
D
De Bruijn
Marco
M
Gerber
Vincent
V
Keen
John
J
Lefere
Laurence
L
Pitel
Christel Marcillaud
CM
Marr
Celia
C
Müller
Jessica-M V
JM
Pineau
Xavier
X
Saegerman
Claude
C
Sandersen
Charlotte
C
Serteyn
Didier
D
Torfs
Sara
S
Unger
Lucia
L
Verwilghen
Denis
D
Votion
Dominique-Marie
DM
D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors