Ireland's multi-billion euro horse industry was on alert last night following the discovery of equine infectious anaemia (EIA) in a small number of horses in the Meath-Kildare area. These are the first cases of the disease, sometimes known as "swamp fever", recorded in Ireland.
Following the death of a foal and its mother on a Co Meath stud farm, Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan called on all breeders and trainers to test their horses for the disease. It is spread by blood-sucking insects, but may have been brought here in infected equine serum used to treat horses for various diseases.
The Minister confirmed that she would not be banning race meetings or sales of animals as the disease is not spread from horse to horse. However, she said it was of such importance to the industry that all owners and trainers should test for it.
The department's statement said investigations were continuing to determine the extent of the disease. It was also tracing those horses which have in the past three months passed through farms where the infected animals were found.
EIA is a viral disease of horses which can cause of range of symptoms, including death.
Its presence here for the first time could hit the lucrative Irish horse export industry, and the department said it was anxious that all reasonable steps be taken by owners of horses to ensure that the department can continue to certify horses for export.
The disease is exclusively an animal health issue, and has no public health consequences.