Equine Viral Arteritis in Gloucestershire
Defra has confirmed that a stallion in Gloucestershire has contracted Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA), the first time the disease has been seen in the UK since December 2010.
The horse will remain under breeding restrictions until shown to be free of the virus, and it is understood that it has not been used for breeding since arriving in the UK in April.
EVA is a low impact exotic disease found in horses, transmitted through mating, semen, or contact with aborted foetuses. Coughing and snorting can also spread the disease, but it cannot spread to humans.
There is no treatment available for the virus, which can cause abortions, fever, depression, lethargy, stiff movement, runny nose, conjunctivitis and swelling of the lower leg, around the eye and the reproductive organs.
Vets in the area are asked to remain vigilant for signs of infection, and anyone suspecting the disease must immediately notify the duty vet at their local AHVLA office.
For more information, visit the Defra website.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
