Production of monoclonal antibodies binding to the VP7 protein of African horse sickness virus.

•Monoclonal antibodies vs VP7-protein of AHS virus were produced and characterized.•VP7 protein-encoding gene of AHS virus was expressed into a baculovirus-infected insect cell system.•Purified VP7 protein and MAb 7F11E14 were used for the development of a c-ELISA.•331 horse serum samples, positive and negative for AHSV, were tested and crossreactions vs BTV and EHDV were checked.•Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the c-ELISA were 100%.