A fatal viral disease spread by various vectors including Culicoides–tiny, blood-sucking midges—and certain mosquitoes, AHS affects horses, mules, and donkeys and potentially dogs and camels. | Photo: Courtesy World Horse Welfare

Five horses on the same property in the Malaysian state of Terengganu have tested positive for AHS, according to a Sept. 2, 2020, report from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in Paris, France. Four of the horses have shown signs of disease, including fever and breathing difficulties.

Located about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the southern Thai border, Terengganu is part of the peninsula on the western side of the Gulf of Thailand. It’s separated from Thailand’s initial outbreak site in the Pak Chong district by about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) over land. Across the gulf waters, the distance is about 1,000 kilometers (650 miles).

The five affected horses in Terengganu were kept in the owner’s backyard, Dato’Dr Norlizan Mohd Noor, deputy director general of veterinary services in Malaysia’s Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry in Putrajaya, reported to the OIE