DEFRA has confirmed that equine infectious anaemia (EIA) has been detected in two horse, one in Northumberland and one in Devon. While the horse in Northumberland had recently been imported, along with another five, from the Netherlands the one in Devon had been in this Country for two years.

Chief Executive for the charity World Horse Welfare Roly Owers speaking about the Northumberland case said: "The news is extremely concerning and demonstrates the changing environment we're living in. This is a real warning to us that we're sailing far too close to the wind. The concerning question is where these horses came from given that Holland to date has not reported a case of EIA. With more and more horses moving across Europe, including the significant trade in low value animals, not just slaughter animals, we're facing an increasing threat from the spread of disease."

EIA is endemic in both Romania and Italy; Romania being one of the largest exporters and Italy being the largest importer of horses for slaughter in Europe.

In spite of the legal requirement for health certification before exporting horses from Romania there continues to be cases of EIA across Europe.

Three horses with EIA, which were thought to have been imported illegially from Romania, were recently found in Germany.

However what is even more worrying is that the infected animal in Devon was imported two years ago but only became ill very recently, raising concerns it could have contracted the virus in this country.

Horse owners have been advised to be on the look out for the viral infection, which causes intermittent fever, anaemia, emaciation and death. It can be transmitted by the exchange of blood by biting insects and occurs typically in low-lying swampy areas

Rigorous checks should also be undertaken when buying a horse from abroad and to think twice before importing one from Romanian. Horses and ponies should be checked to ensure that they have a passport, are microchipped and that isolation and biosecurity measures are strictly followed once the animal arrives in this Country.

For further information and advice visit
http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/eia/index.htm