Fatal disease in horses detected

EGAR

http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=74307&pt=n

FRIDAY 16/06/2006 10:48:49
Swamp fever detected in horses

The Irish horse industry is on alert following the discovery of the first ever cases of swamp fever.

The potentially fatal infection can be transmitted by the common horsefly and horse breeders are being urged to keep their stock away from wet and wooded areas.

The Irish Republic`s Department of Agriculture is also issuing recommendations that all horses be tested for the infection.

The Department`s Chief Vet Paddy Rogan says it is impossible to establish the extent of the outbreak at this early stage.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4800710.stm

Swamp fever found in Irish horses


The first recorded cases of a potentially fatal disease in horses has been recorded in Ireland.

Officials said that cases of Equine Infectious Anaemia have been found in a small number of horses.

The Republic's Department of Agriculture said swamp fever had been found in horses in Kildare and Meath and urged owners to test their animals.

This is the home of Ireland's bloodstock industry where world-leading racehorse trainers have stables.

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http://breaking.tcm.ie/2006/06/15/story263549.html

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.

doctor evil

Whats the treatment for it.

EGAR

There is none and there is no vaccine either. The virus stays in the horse and can not be expelled by any known treatment. So the infected horse is a risk to others .

Sarah

doctor evil

Oh dear, hopefully it won`t spread.