Equine Swamp Fever Hits Ireland

CastleMouse

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 August 2005
Messages
19,169
Location
Ireland
Visit site
Quite worrying, and if there is another case found, there is a possibility that the Dublin Horse Show will be cancelled.
Concern over arrival of fatal horse disease
15/06/2006 - 19:14:21
A potentially fatal horse disease has been recorded in Ireland for the first time, it emerged this evening.

The Department of Agriculture and Food confirmed the presence of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) in a small number of horses in the Meath/Kildare area.

A spokesman said investigations were continuing to determine the extent of the infection which, in this case, is thought to have been caused by the use of infected serum in the treatment of another equine disease.

“The department is also tracing those horses which, in the past three months, have passed through
those farms on which the infected animals were located,” he said.

“EIA is a virus disease of horses which can cause of range of symptoms, including death.

“In view of the potential for mortality and given the high movement of horses throughout the country over the past few months, the department is advising stud owners/managers and other horse owners to have their horses tested for any evidence of the presence of the disease.

“The general incubation period for the disease is one to three weeks.”


The spokesman said the department is particularly anxious that all reasonable steps be taken by horse owners to ensure that the department can continue to certify horses for export, where such certification is required.

“Owners of horses are advised to keep them away from areas in which there are likely to be large concentrations of horseflies, including wetlands and wooded areas, until such time as they have satisfied themselves that their horses are free of EIA,” he added.

Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) or ’swamp fever’ is a persistent viral infection of all equines. The disease is exclusively an animal health issue and cannot be transmitted to humans.

The virus is usually transmitted through blood-sucking insects or through the use of blood contaminated instruments or needles.

Horses infected with EIA virus may take up to three weeks to show clinical signs of the disease, which include intermittent fever, small haemorrhages in the mucous membranes, anaemia, dependant swelling and death.

Horse industry on alert after swamp-fever outbreak
16/06/2006 - 07:50:42

Ireland's multi-billion euro horse industry is reportedly on high alert following an outbreak of so-called swamp fever in the Meath-Kildare area.

Reports this morning said the disease, whose proper name is equine infectious anaemia, had been found in a small number of horses in the two counties, the first time it has every been recorded in Ireland.

All breeders and trainers are being asked to test their horses for the condition, which is spread by blood-sucking insects.

It is believed to have been brought into Ireland via an infected serum used to treat horses for various diseases.


Swamp fever scare hits Irish dressage team
02/08/2006 - 19:11:20

The organisers of the British Young Riders Dressage Scheme [BYRDS] U25 championships have today withdraw their invitation to Dressage Ireland to compete at the championships in Lincolnshire, England.

This is due to the outbreak of swamp fever (equine infectious anaemia) in Ireland.

Dressage Ireland Youth Development Director Robert McCormick said that the organisers had made the decision with much regret and they would be extending an invitation to Dressage Ireland for the 2007 renewal.
 
Top