Two horses in Texas have tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA), with one horse in Wilson County and another in Fort Bend County. Hold orders were issued for the affected properties on December 4 and 8, respectively. Unfortunately, both horses had to be euthanized.
EDCC Health Watch is a program by the Equine Network that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to provide verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is a nonprofit organization supported by industry donations to offer open access to infectious disease information.
Understanding EIA
Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease that targets horses’ immune systems. The virus is typically spread through the exchange of bodily fluids from an infected to an uninfected animal, often by insects like horseflies. It can also be transmitted through contaminated instruments or needles.
A Coggins test screens a horse’s blood for antibodies that indicate the presence of the EIA virus. Most states in the US require horses to have a negative Coggins test before crossing state lines.
Once a horse is infected with EIA, it remains infected for life and can potentially spread the disease. While not all horses show symptoms, those that do may experience:
- Progressive weight loss;
- Muscle weakness;
- Reduced stamina;
- Fever;
- Depression; and
- Anemia.
There is currently no vaccine or cure for EIA. Infected horses either die, are euthanized, or must be kept under strict quarantine conditions (at least 200 yards away from unaffected horses) for the remainder of their lives.