THIRTY-SIX HORSES PUT DOWN DUE TO EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANEMIA

ZAGREB, Aug 19 (Hina) - Medical reports following an inspection by veterinarian services disclosed Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA), a virus disease amongst hoofed animals, in 47 horses in Odransko polje, of which 36 were put down, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry reported on Monday. #L# The inspection established that the sick animals grazed in the same area at Odransko polje. The head inspector brought a decision to examine all the animals on that pasture. A total of 121 blood samples were taken from horses owned by 17 owners. Tests done on Aug. 18 proved that 47 horses were infected. The next day 36 horses were sent to be put down. Since the emergence of the disease, ten deaths amongst horses have been reported to veterinarian inspections. Serum negative animals kept on the Odransko polje pasture were examined, and all the horses which did not show any signs of the disease were returned to their owners. Veterinary inspections will monitor their condition over the coming period through clinical inspections and serum tests. The Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said that EIA is contagious, affects only hoofed animals, and is transmitted by blood sucking insects or direct contact. In the past fifteen years, the disease appeared occasionally in Croatia, most frequently in Sisak-Moslavina County. (hina) sp ha