Disease factsheet: Equine Infectious Anaemia - France
Situation in France
Defra has been in discussions with the French Authorities, regarding their investigation into the recent outbreak of EIA on a premises in the department of the Ardeche in southern France. The premises was placed under a prefectural order declaring it to be infected and a 3km restriction zone placed around the premises. The prefectural order requires that all movements of horses from the premises and 3km restriction zone are prohibited.
A total of 4 horses were kept on the premises and 2 of the animals gave a positive result to investigative testing and have both been euthanized. None of the horses were used for competitive or breeding purposes, but were aged retired riding horses. In the 3 km area, 158 horses in 3 riding schools and 18 private premises have been tested for EIA with negative results.
The remaining two horses will, as is established practice for EIA, be kept under restrictions until two clear EIA tests have been carried out with an interval of 3 months.
Following an epidemiological investigation, it was discovered that both the infected horses had been obtained, 3 years ago, from a riding school situated about 12 miles from the affected premises. As a result, official restrictions were placed on the riding school and all 21 resident horses were tested. All these horses have tested negative and restrictions on the riding school have been subsequently removed.
Page last modified:
August 28, 2008