More than 3,000 horses, mainly in Co Meath, are to be tested for equine infectious anaemia (EIA) in an extension of the surveillance programme to rid the country of the horse disease commonly known as swamp fever.
Confirming the 25th case of the disease yesterday, the Department of Agriculture said it was putting together a special veterinary team to test the horses included in the programme.
It said the most recent case of the disease, commonly known as swamp fever, was found on September 29th and all cases continue to be concentrated in Kildare, Meath and Louth.
Owners of the horses will be written to and in each case, laboratory costs associated with the test will be met by the department.
It said that of the 25 cases confirmed to date, 20 can be associated to the initial outbreaks.
It was now satisfied, based on epidemiological data, that there are veterinary linkages in at least four of the remaining cases. Epidemiological investigation of the most recent case is continuing.
The department has imposed movement restrictions on 30 premises including a number bordering premises where cases were confirmed.
About 120 horse restrictions have been removed following the satisfactory completion of the prescribed 90-day restriction period and having tested negative.
Scientists anticipate that the rate of restriction removal will accelerate over the next number of months. To date no premises restriction has been lifted.