This article is from page 38 of the 2007-03-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 38 JPG
IRISH horse breeders are this week breathing a collective sign of relief as the last traces of last year’s deadly outbreak of Equine Infectious Anae- mia (EIA) or swamp fever appear to have dissipated.
Minister Mary Coughlan, con- firmed last Thursday that the last premises restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak have been lift- ed following a lapse of more than 90 days since the last of 28 cases was confirmed on 10 December 2006.
Coughlan confirmed that the final blood samples had been taken from those horses which remained under movement restriction and all test re- sults had been negative for EIA.
“Since the first cases had been confirmed on the 15 of June last almost 57,000 blood samples had been analysed for EIA with 28 eight cases having been confirmed,” she said while describing the last nine months as “a very difficult period for the Irish bloodstock industry.”
The Minister met with industry rep- resentative in Dublin last week and
commended the Irish Equine Centre, all sections of the industry and her Department’s Central Veterinary Research Laboratory for their work in controlling the outbreak.
“The efficient way in which this outbreak had been managed and eradicated reflected very well on all those involved and demonstrated the absolute necessity of Govern- ment and industry working closely together in one another’s mutual in- terest. The threat of EIA required a robust and professional response and despite the obvious inconvenience
experienced by some horse owners and trainers and stud managers, the industry appreciated the necessity of the Department’s actions which were central to the effective manner in which this outbreak was contained and eradicated,’ she said.
“Despite the obvious sense of relief being felt in the wake of the final re- strictions being lifted, the events of last year demonstrated the continu- ing need for her Department, the in- dustry and the veterinary profession to maintain a high level of vigilance in relation to EIA.”