Equine Infectious Anaemia (Swamp Fever)

The following is an information note from the Department of Agriculture and Food in relation to the recent outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia (Swamp Fever) in Ireland.

The Department will continue to provide updated information regarding the outbreak and this information will be available on the Irish Horse Board website (www.irishsporthorse.com) and on the Department of Agriculture and Food website (www.agriculture.gov.ie). Alternatively you can contact Animal Health Division of the Department of Agriculture and Food on 01- 6072401.

Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) - Updated Position on 31 July 2006:

Test results received by the DAF have confirmed fourteen cases of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA). In addition to seventeen premises that are currently restricted, some 500 individual animals are also restricted. The individual restrictions relate to horses which, in the past three months, have passed through the farms on which positive horses were located or an animal hospital on which a number of infected animals were located. All such horses will be subjected to a surveillance programme determined by DAF and will not be derestricted until they have satisfactorily completed that programme.

The Department is currently finalising details of a package of financial support for the robust surveillance regime under which it is insisting on testing on restricted horses. This support will include a contribution to the cost of the PVP taking the sample as well as paying for he cost of testing the sample at the IEC. Payments will be made directly to the PVPs and the laboratory.

A total of nine cases have been confirmed since July 22, four were confirmed on 22/24 July, three on 26 July, one case on 29 July, and one on 31 July. All nine cases had already been identified by the Department as part of a high-risk group given their close contact with one or more of the earlier confirmed cases. There are still a small number of horses alive, which belong to this high-risk group.

All of the cases confirmed in the past week fall within the incubation timeframe for this disease and accordingly are not unexpected.

In addition to the test results that are currently awaited in respect of a small number of other suspect cases, onward tracing of in-contacts which had left the country before the restriction and permitting system implemented by DAF was in place have been notified to the relevant authorities.

In excess of 3000 blood samples have been tested to date as part of the ongoing tracing and surveillance of all potential in-contact cases. The Department continues to advise stud owners/managers and other horse owners to have their horses tested for any evidence of the presence of the disease as a precautionary measure and to maintain a high level of bio-security particularly with respect to the control of flies (including the use of fly screens where appropriate).

The EIA virus is usually transmitted mechanically, most commonly through blood-sucking insects or through the use of blood contaminated instruments or needles. It is exclusively an animal health disease and has no human health consequences.

Clinical signs of the disease in horses infected with EIA virus, include intermittent fever, small haemorrhages in the mucous membranes, anaemia, dependant swelling and death. Pregnant mares suffering from the disease may infect their foals transplacentally. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and a blood test for antibodies to the virus.

In view of the potential for mortality and given the high movement of horses throughout the country over the past few months, horse owners are being advised to be vigilant. The general incubation period for the disease is variable and there is no vaccine available. Veterinary practitioners are advised to maintain strict aseptic techniques in the treatment of sick horses at this time. The Department is particularly anxious that all these reasonable steps should be taken to ensure that the they can continue to certify horses for export where such certification is required and to facilitate ongoing inter-farm movement and the movement of horses to shows, sales and other events.

In the event of further developments and as circumstances require, the Department will update this briefing and make it available for the benefit of the industry and practitioners.