Evidence of African horse sickness virus infection of <italic>Equus zebra hartmannae</italic> in the south‐western Khomas Region, Namibia.

Summary: Equine mortalities suspected to be due to African horse sickness (AHS) were reported from the arid Khomas Region, Namibia, in 2008. The area was previously considered a localized AHS‐free area. Hartmann's mountain zebra (<italic>Equus zebra hartmannae</italic>), a potential but unconfirmed reservoir host of African horse sickness virus (AHSV), occurs in the region. Between 2009 and 2010 serum, blood and tissue samples from 31 culled <italic>E. z. hartmannae</italic> were analysed by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) (<italic>n </italic>=<italic> </italic>31) and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (<italic>n</italic> = 18) to determine the presence of AHSV and/or antibodies against AHSV. The presence of antibodies against AHSV was demonstrated in all 18 samples assayed, and AHSV double stranded RNA was detected in 26% of the animals. This is evidence that <italic>E. z. hartmannae</italic> can become infected with AHSV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]