Hurdle: Swamp fever was last seen in Britain more than 30 years ago More than a million British horse owners were on alert last night after two horses tested positive for the deadly disease swamp fever.
It is the first case of the virus in this country for more than 30 years.
The horses, imported from Romania and kept at stables in Wiltshire, will be destroyed, the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs said.
The stables, which have not been identified, are under strict movement restrictions. Other horses there are being tested.
The virus, which is spread by flies and midges, poses no danger to people but can be fatal for horses and donkeys.
It causes fever, anaemia and emaciation. Infected animals can carry the virus for life and pose a permanent risk to others.
The disease was found during routine tests on horses from Romania, where swamp fever is rife. Seven other imports tested negative.
The British Horseracing Authority said the infected horses were not racehorses or animals used for breeding and experts said horseracing is unlikely to be affected unless there are more cases.
The disease is named swamp fever because it typically occurs in marshy areas. It is endemic in America, South Africa, Russia and parts of Europe.
Defra's chief veterinary officer Nigel Gibbens said: 'This is the first case of equine infectious anaemia-infected animals being imported into Great Britain since 1976 and shows the success of our post-import testing regime.'
Experts say that horseracing is unlikely to be affected in the UK.
A spokesman for the BHA said: 'It is spread by biting flies and such spread is unlikely at this time of year and with the current weather'.
source:dailymail
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