In 2006, Ireland was rocked by an outbreak of equine infectious anemia (EIA) that was rapidly contained by veterinarians and the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (read more). Despite their quick action, the fallout from this outbreak has been widespread. In the three years since the outbreak, veterinarians and scientists have been rehashing the course of events to learn everything possible about the outbreak so that other countries never have to live through the same experience.

EIA is caused by a lentivirus that belongs to retrovirus family along with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and feline immunodeficiency virus.

EIA virus is spread through body secretions such as blood. EIA can be transmitted via biting insects such as the deer fly and horse fly as well as from tainted tack, equipment, and veterinary supplies, and from mares to foals during pregnancy