Despite the lifting of restrictions imposed during last year's outbreak of equine infectious anaemia (EIA), the Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, has urged the industry to remain vigilant.
The threat to Ireland's multi-billion euro bloodstock industry from EIA, commonly known as swamp fever, officially ended on March 24th last, when no cases had been found for 90 days.
Ireland had never had a case of the disease until June 15th last, when an outbreak was confirmed in Co Kildare. The disease, which is usually spread by insects found in swampy areas, spread to other animals and by December 10th, 28 cases had been confirmed.
In a statement today, the Minister urged the department, the Irish bloodstock industry and the veterinary profession to maintain a high level of vigilance.
The Minister pointed out that, given its value and reputation, and notwithstanding the department's role in dealing with animal diseases, the Irish Bloodstock industry had a major responsibility to itself, and all involved must continue to take appropriate measures to protect the industry and contribute to ensuring that Ireland's restored EIA-free status is maintained.
She warned against the temptation to become complacent, given the successful eradication of the disease, the passage of time since the last confirmed case and the extensive amount of blood testing done, particularly since the beginning of this year.
The Minister said her department continued to support strongly the recommendation made by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association that all mares to be covered in 2007 should have a negative EIA test within 28 days of initial cover.
The Minister reminded mare owners that the cost of an EIA test can be significantly offset by using the same blood sample that is submitted for the equine viral arteritis (EVA) test.