In Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), EIA is notifiable by law under the Infectious Diseases of Horses Order 1987. Under the Order, anyone who owns, manages, inspects or examines a horse which is affected or is suspected of being affected by the disease must notify the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA). Please see Appendix 1 for APHA contact details.
Under the Order, the premises where disease is suspected may be declared as an infected place and restrictions on horses at those premises may be imposed. A veterinary enquiry will be carried out imposed by the APHA to determine if EIA is present. The Order also provides powers to enforce measures for vector control and disinfection.
As there is currently no cure for EIA, any horse testing positive will be subject to compulsory slaughter and disposal under the control of the APHA. Any requests to exempt an infected equine from destruction will be considered on a case by case basis.
The Equine Infectious Anaemia (Compensation) (England) Order 2006 and The Specified Diseases (Notification and Slaughter) (Amendment) and Compensation (Scotland) Order 2014 provided, in England and Scotland, for the nominal payment of £1 for animals that have tested positive for EIA and subsequently been humanely destroyed for disease control purposes. Parallel legislation for Wales could be effected as emergency legislation if required.
Information on the Equine Infectious Anaemia Control Strategy for Great Britain can be found here.
