EIA update-more horses euthanased
Posted by on May 8, 2009 in General News, Welfare | 2 commentsLast month we reported about the outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia in the Vars region of France – see here.
Sadly, 11 horses who tested positive to EIA have now been euthanased. Read report here.
Another 3 horses this week have tested positive and will have to be euthanased, bringing the total to 14 horses.
The virus that causes equine infectious anemia is transmitted by biting insects such as horse flies, mosquitoes and biting lice. Contaminated hypodermic needles and surgical instruments can also spread the disease. Prolonged contact of a healthy horse with an infected animal usually results in infection of the exposed animal. Read more here.
So how do we protect against our horses getting this disease, if they do not come into contact with other horses.
Ours are annually vaccinated against tetannus and equine flu. Is there anything else we can do?
You do absolutely amazing work.
Beryl xxx
If your horses never come into contact with other horses you can still lower the risk of EIA by reducing the biting insects with a good repellant and avoiding wet/swampy grazing areas. Never use unsterilized needles or medical equipment between horses. Quarantine all new horses on the yard.
There is now a vaccine available for EIA but you would have to speak to your vet about this to see if it is used throughout France.