Joint statement on Equine Infectious Anaemia
(From Defra, the British Equine Veterinary Association and the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)
Guidance is being issued to the UK horse industry this week following an outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia in the Republic of Ireland.
However Defra and the British Equine Veterinary Association have stressed that there have been no cases of the disease in the UK and that industry and the Government are working closely together to minimise the risk of infection. The disease only affects equines.
EIA was reported in the Republic of Ireland on 15 June and so far 14 horses have tested positive there for the disease, which is also known as swamp fever.
The state veterinary services in GB & NI moved swiftly to identify horses in UK which may have been exposed to the disease during trips to Ireland. All of these horses have been put under restriction and kept isolated. They are being blood tested for EIA – in most cases more than once. All tests have been negative to date.
Debby Reynolds, the Chief Veterinary Officer, said: “We will keep these horses under restriction, and keep testing them, for as long as is necessary to satisfy ourselves that none of them is carrying the disease. The situation in the Republic of Ireland does mean that there is increased risk to the UK but we are doing everything we can to keep that to a minimum.
“We are keeping the level of risk under constant review and have already published an initial risk assessment on Defra’s website. There are no plans to limit horse movements or stop any equestrian events.
“We are also drawing up guidance for those working in the horse industry This will give them more advice and information about sensible precautions they can take.”
BEVA President Chris Rea said: “BEVA welcomes Defra's prompt response to the current situation and we are monitoring developments very closely. Once the guidance notes are available we will publish them on our website. We would urge all horse owners who have horses which have visited the Republic of Ireland recently to be vigilant and to contact their veterinary surgeon if they have any concerns"
The initial risk assessment is published on Defra’s website at
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/monitoring/pdf/eia-ireland270706.pdf 
(64 KB)
More information on EIA, including questions and answers about the disease are also on the website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/infectiousanaemia.htm
More information from the British Equine Veterinary Association is at www.beva.org.uk.
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Page published: 1 August 2006