UPDATE, August 22nd 2022
Following our letters at the World Organization for Animal Health and DG SANTE, Greece has reported on August 4th two (2) cases of Equine Infectious Anaemia. Unfortunately, either they declared wrong the December case in which three (3) were infected and euthanized or there are new cases.
Anytway, if the report is about the case in December it took them eight (8) months to report a disease that should be reported within 24 hours and traced to avoid the spread of this contagious disease.
For this reason we filed today a new written complaint at EU against competent Greek auhtorities for the breach of union law 2022/2002 according to which Annex I, Listed diseases of terrestrial animals subject to Union notification in accordance with point (a) of Article 3(1) and point (a) of Article 3(2), Equine Infectious aneamia shall be immediately reported by each member state at the Animal Disease Information System (ADIS).
December 2021, three horses were tested positive to EIA and following the protocol they were euthanized. Owner declared the incident and also published an open letter so that other equine owners were informed on how dangerous this virus is.
According to EU Regulation 2020/2002, annex I, Listed diseases of terrestrial animals subject to Union notification in accordance with point (a) of Article 3(1) and point (a) of Article 3(2), Equine Infectious aneamia shall be immediately reported by each member state at the Animal Disease Information System (ADIS).
Until today EIA case of December 2021 has not been reported by Greek Competent Authorities.
Keep in consideration that EU Regulations on Equine registration and identification along with the electronic database, have not yet been implemented.
Lack of equine registration and identifications does not allow us to know the actual percentages of animals infected. Therefore, the risk of spreading an incurable and deadly disease is growing dangerously.
As an equine welfare society, we will file a report submitting all the evidence at the competent European Committee and the World Organization for Animal Health.
photo © Kayla Farmer
