A virulent disease which can kill horses has been discovered in a group of animals imported to Britain from Romania.

Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a virus disease causing intermittent fever, anaemia, emaciation and death. It can be transmitted by the exchange of blood by biting insects and occurs typically in low-lying swampy areas.

Two animals in a group brought into Britain via Belgium and stabled in Wiltshire have been proved to be carriers of the disease and are to be humanely put down by Defra vets. The premises involved are under movement restriction orders.

The early discovery of the disease is being hailed as an important victory in the fight against veterinary illness being brought into the UK by a strict testing regime.

The animals arrived in a group of 10 horses, nine of which originated from Romania and one from Belgium. The nine Romanian horses were tested for EIA as part of routine post-import testing. Seven horses all tested negative. The horse that originated in Belgium is due to be tested shortly.

Says Chief Veterinary Officer, Nigel Gibbens: “This is the first case of equine infectious anaemia infected animals being imported into Great Britain since 1976 and shows the success of our post import testing regime.

“These were apparently healthy horses carrying a notifiable disease that we are keen to keep out of Great Britain. After considering the risk I have decided to take appropriate action and humanely destroy these two horses that tested positive.”