New generation vaccine for African horse sickness

African Horse Sickness (AHS) is an arboviral infectious disease caused by the African Horse Sickness Virus (AHSV), transmitted through hematophagous vectors. Its genome consists of 10 dsRNA segments encoding seven structural viral proteins (VP1-VP7) and five non-structural proteins (NS1, NS2, NS3, NS3A, NS4) (1-4). Currently, nine serotypes have been identified. In recent decades, the disease has gained relevance due to globalization and climate change (5, 6). These factors have expanded the geographical distribution of vectors, leading to an increased risk of disease spread in Europe (7). Recent outbreaks in Southeast Asia (8) and Africa (9) highlight the urgent need for vaccines that are both safe and effective against all nine AHSV serotypes. The aim of this study is to produce new-generation inactivated vaccines using a reverse genetic system and to assess their safety and immunogenic potential through animal experimentation in both guinea pigs and equids.