The Department of Agriculture and Food has today confirmed the presence of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) in a small number of horses in the Meath/Kildare area. These are the first cases of EIA recorded in Ireland.

Infectious Equine Anaemia (EIA) or "swamp fever" is a virus disease of horses causing intermittent fever, anaemia, emaciation and death. It can be transmitted by mechanical transfer of blood by biting insects and occurs typically in low-lying swampy areas. The disease was first described in France in 1843. The term "swamp fever" was first used by Torrance in 1903 in Canada, where this disease had been known before 1882.

The disease is exclusively an animal health issue affecting horses, donkeys and mules and has no effect on human and so causes no public health concerns.

The virus is usually transmitted mechanically, mostly through blood sucking insects but investigations are continuing to determine the extent of the infection which, in this case, is thought to have been caused by the use of infected equine serum being used 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.

As there are now confirmed cases in Ireland of EIA, it is now important that people are aware of it as it can now be transferred from farm to farm via large concentrations of horseflies, including wetlands and wooded areas, and it is advised that owners keep their horses away from areas of possible infestation of horseflies.

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.

Symptoms of EIA: taken from APHIS.USDA.GOV

Chronic—
If the horse survives this first acute bout, it may develop a recurring clinical disease with these signs:

Fever—
An infected horse’s temperature may rise suddenly to about 105 °F or, rarely, as high as 108 °F. Then it may drop back to normal for an indeterminate period until the onset of another episode.

Petechial hemorrhages—
Minute blood–colored spots appear on the mucous membranes.

Depression—
The horse appears more or less dejected (head hangs low) and generally listless.

Weight loss—
The horse may refuse feed or may eat an inordinate amount but still continues on an
obvious decline from normal weight.

Dependent edema—
The horse may develop swelling, which is evidence of fluid collecting under the skin in the legs and under the chest and other underbody surfaces.

Anemia—
The horse’s blood may experience a marked drop in its red corpuscle count and appear thin and watery. The animal may also have an irregular heartbeat, and a jugular pulse may become evident

Horse owners are advised to take steps to ensure that their horses are clear of this disease via blood testing and to also take steps to ensure that the disease does not enter their farms.

Some of the steps which can be taken to help reduce the risk of infection are:

1. Use disposable syringes and needles. Follow the rule of one horse—one needle.

2. Clean and sterilize all instruments thoroughly after each use.

3. Keep stables and immediate facilities clean and sanitary. Remove manure and debris promptly, and ensure that the area is well drained.

4. Implement insect controls. The local veterinarian or animal health official can provide information about approved insecticides and other insect–control measures. Avoid habitats favorable to insect survival.

5. Do not intermingle infected and healthy animals. Do not breed EIAV–positive horses.

6. Isolate all new horses, mules, and donkeys brought to the premises until they have been tested for EIA.

EIA has a worldwide distribution. Early in the last century, serious outbreaks occurred in France, Japan and America. During the 1980s the disease was reported in many parts of America, Asia (India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand), Europe (Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, USSR and Yugoslavia) and Australia.

EIA is a notifiable disease - if you have any concerns about your horse it would be advisable to contact your local vet and have your horse blood tested.