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EIA detected in Cornwall
Defra confirmed case of equine infectious anaemia

Defra has confirmed that a case of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) has been detected in a horse in Cornwall.

The affected horse will be humanely destroyed and all other precautions were promptly taken to prevent infection from spreading, including movement restrictions on the premises at which it was stabled. Horses stabled alongside the infected animal(s) are currently being tested for signs of disease.

Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) is a viral disease, also known as swamp fever, that affects horses, mules and donkeys and is most commonly spread by biting insects such as horse flies. There is no treatment and horses do not recover from the disease. It causes intermittent fever, anaemia, emaciation and death.

EIA does not spread quickly and it is unlikely to spread widely from infected horses as the flies that transmit the disease only travel short distances to feed. However, the disease can also be spread by procedures that might result in transmission of small amounts of blood from an infected horse to penetrate the skin of another horse.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

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News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.