Last swamp fever blocks are lifted

THE swamp fever outbreak that hit the country last year is officially at an end. This week, the Department of Agriculture announced that the last restrictions on premises imposed as a result of last year’s outbreak were being lifted.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan said the decision was taken “following the lapse of more than 90 days since the last of 28 cases was confirmed on December 10, 2006”. Ms Coughlan said final blood samples had been taken from those horses which remained under movement restriction and all test results had been negative for of the disease, also known as equine infectious anaemia (EIA).

Since the first case was confirmed on June 15, almost 57,000 blood samples were analysed, with 28 cases confirmed. Fifty-three premises were hit with movement restrictions, with 1,200 individual horses affected. It is estimated that the cost to the State arising from the disease is well over €100,000.