Swamp fever guidelines released

A new code of practice has been published on Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) or “swamp fever” this year, as part of the Horserace Betting Levy Board’s (HBLB) Codes of Practice on Equine Diseases.

The codes of practice to aid disease control and assist prevention are published annually and distributed to the equine industry both within the UK and worldwide. The guidelines include information on controlling Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM), Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA), Equine Herpes Virus (EHV), strangles and now EIA.

“Representatives of the racing and breeding industries in the UK and overseas agreed that an EIA code was needed,” said vet Chris Rea, chairman of the HBLB committee responsible for the codes. “We have to ensure the code focuses on practical means for prevention and control of EIA, as well as information to improve awareness of the disease.”

For a free copy, email equine.grants@hblb.org.uk or (tel: 020 7333 0043).

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