Outbreak Investigation and Epidemiological Risk Factors Associated with Outbreak of Equine Influenza in Punjab, Pakistan

Background: Equine influenza is major infectious zoonotic disease and its economic concerns are many folds owing to high morbidity and loss of working capacity of equine population. Unvaccinated and equine reared under poor biosecurity are highly susceptible to infection. Its rapid spread and persistent occurrence since 1963 have included it in the watch list of WHO and OIE. Methods: To investigate the outbreak and possible risk factors, a cross-sectional study was conducted for the period of one year in the months of possible outbreak of disease. A total number of 102 samples were collected from the target equine population and data regarding associated risk factors was also collected in a predesigned questionnaire. Later on, using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) as molecular diagnostic technique a total of eight samples were found positive for the M-gene. Results: The PCR positive result for the equine influenza virus clearly indicates the prevalence of the EIV in the targeted area. Multiple risk factors were (P