An Epizootiological Study of Getah Virus among Light Horses in Japan in 1979

Abstract

Sero-epizootiological studies among light horses in Japan in 1979 revealed that Getah virus was one of the causative agents of unidentified fever which was observed every summer and autumn among racehorses in the training centers (T. C.) and racecourses which belong to the Japan Racing Association. In the Ritto T. C., 40% of 136 horses with unidentified fever were found to infect with Getah virus. Epizootics of Getah virus infection occurred from July to September in 1979 in various localities, such as the Utsunomiya Rearing Farm, the Tokyo Racecourse, the Miho T. C., the Ritto T. C. and a private farm in Tochigi Prefecture. The Hidaka Rearing Farm and the Miyazaki Racecourse were free from them. In the Miho T. C. in 1979, the total number of horses with unidentified fever and horses infected with Getah virus was smaller than that in Ritto T. C. in 1979 and that in the Miho T. C. in 1978.