Animal Health Bureau Information contained in this publication is provided as general advice only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought. The Department of Primary Industries Queensland has taken all reasonable steps to ensure the information in this publication is accurate at the time of publication. Readers should ensure that they make appropriate inquiries to determine whether new information is available on the particular subject matter. Queensland itch is a common skin condition of horses in coastal and sub-coastal areas of Queensland.
Some animals remain free of symptoms even if confined with affected animals.
The sandflies are more common in the summer months and tend to bite during the late afternoon and night. Susceptible horses are affected in the humid, hot months of the year and signs only diminish with the onset of cooler weather. The insect usually attacks the horse along its top line, including the base of the tail, rump, back, withers, crest, poll and ears. Small pimples may be seen at the site of each bite. These cause intense irritation and the horse will rub for hours against overhanging branches, fences and other objects, particularly at night.