What type of disease is African horse sickness?

African horse sickness is classified as a communicable disease transmitted by biting midges, specifically the Culicoides species. The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the Orbivirus genus, and it primarily affects horses, donkeys, and mules. Biting midges serve as the vectors that transmit the virus from one animal to another during their feeding process.

Understanding this transmission route is crucial for controlling the disease, as it highlights the importance of managing insect populations in regions where African horse sickness is prevalent. Measures such as insect repellents, breeding site control, and other vector management strategies can help reduce the risk of outbreaks.

While it is true that African horse sickness is a viral disease, the distinction lies in how it spreads. This makes the classification of it being transmitted by biting midges particularly significant compared to other forms of disease transmission, such as direct contact or being non-communicable. This understanding underlines the need for targeted approaches in prevention and control strategies specific to diseases that are vector-borne.