Defra has confirmed that equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in two horses in Wiltshire following importation from Romania via Belgium.
The premises is currently under restriction and the two infected horses will be humanely destroyed in line with existing regulations. The other horses on the premises will be subject to epidemiological investigation in the coming weeks. A further two horses have also been under investigation and test results have proved negative.
The animals arrived in a group of 10 horses, nine of which originated from Romania and one from Belgium. The nine Romanian horses were tested for EIA as part of routine post-import testing. Seven horses all tested negative. The horse that originated in Belgium is due to be tested shortly.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens said: "This is the first case of equine infectious anaemia infected animals being imported into Great Britain since 1976 and shows the success of our post import testing regime. These were apparently healthy horses carrying a notifiable disease that we are keen to keep out of Great Britain. After considering the risk I have decided to take appropriate action and humanely destroy these two horses that tested positive."
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I recieved a fax from DEFRA last night, withnthis information I have in the past criticised DEFRA in public (letters published in the veterinary press ) for keeping practitioners "out of the loop " on notifiable diseases, so feel it is only fair to thank them this time, and also Arlo for spreading the news. At least it's winter !!!!!!!!!
Wynne
And I in turn need to thank Jonathan Wray who sent the information to me in the first place.
I can be far from complimentary when I feel officialdom is failing, but I hope I'm sufficiently fair to give credit when it's due