Three horses from Swaziland are dead after contracting African horse sickness (AHS), according to a report from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Swaziland is located in Southwest Africa.

African horse sickness is a fatal viral disease spread by Culicoides–tiny, blood-sucking insects–that can affect horses, mules, and donkeys, as well as dogs and camels. Horses are most susceptible to AHS, with a 75-90% mortality rate. A vaccine is available, but no effective treatment methods exist for infected horses. For survivors, recovery is slow.

According to information received by the OIE from Dr. Roland Xolani Dlamini, director of Veterinary and Livestock Services at the Swaziland Ministry of Agriculture, on March 3, four cases of AHS have been diagnosed (either via clinical signs or necropsy) at one farm in Matsapha; three of the four died as a result of the disease. Surviving affected horses are being treated, mainly via supportive care, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics, the report said.

The OIE report stated that in late December 2011, all horses residing at the farm were vaccinated against the disease after the facility suffered an AHS outbreak in January 2011