A lethal viral infection has affected a small portion of the horses in the Meath/Kildare region of Ireland, which is causing concern. According to reports from The Department of Agriculture and Food in Ireland,this disease called EIA, or Equine Infectious Anemia, has an incubation period of 3 weeks, and can also lead to death of the horse.
Though the extent of penetration and cause of the disease is yet to be discerned, investigations are being conducted to ascertain the facts. There is a doubt that the disease spread with the use of infected serum to treat a different equine disease.A spokesman from the department said “The department is also tracing those horses which, in the past three months, have passed through those farms on which the infected animals were located.EIA is a virus disease of horses which can cause of range of symptoms, including death. In view of the potential for mortality and given the high movement of horses throughout the country over the past few months, the department is advising stud owners/managers and other horse owners to have their horses tested for any evidence of the presence of the disease.The general incubation period for the disease is one to three weeks.”
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) also called swamp fever is a known viral infection in equines, which is restricted to animals and fortunately not transmitted to humans. Blood sucking insects or blood contaminated instruments or needles are the main reasons for spreading the disease.
