Equine infectious anaemia (horses, mules and donkeys)

About the disease

Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a notifiable disease that affects:

• horses
• mules
• donkeys

The disease can also be called swamp fever. It's caused by a virus and is spread via biting insects.

EIA does not affect humans.

Symptoms

The signs of equine infectious anaemia are:

• intermittent fever
• anaemia
• emaciation

Treatment

If disease is confirmed, the only course of action is to humanely destroy the infected animal.

Animals are infected for life and destruction prevents a welfare problem for the affected animal and a source of infection for other animals.