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Realtime PCR
Influenza A viruses belong to the family Orthomyxoviridae and are mostly found in humans, pig, poultry and horses, but also in many others such as birds or dogs.
Horse
Equine influenza is caused by the subtypes A equi 1 (H7N7) and A equi 2 (H3N8), although
H7N7 has not been very present anymore over the past 30 years. In susceptible
Equidae, an infection causes fever and a rough, dry cough. In unvaccinated populations,
the virus spreads quickly. Secondary bacterial infections with mucopurulent nasal
discharge are frequent and mask the clinical picture, especially in partially immune
populations.
Pig
Pigs may not only become infected with porcine, but also with human and avian influenza
viruses and thus contribute to the creation of reassortant influenza viruses. The influenza
pandemics in humans in 1918/19 and in 2009 were caused by pig influenza viruses. In
pigs, primary infections are usually linked to livestock transport. The infection spreads
explosively in the population.
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