Equine infectious anemia (EIA) has been detected in one horse in Perth East County, Ontario, as confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) on Sept. 17. The horse tested positive for EIA during a United States export requirement test requested by the owner. Interestingly, the horse did not exhibit any clinical signs at the time of testing.
CFIA has initiated an investigation into the case and imposed movement restrictions on the infected horse and any other animals that had contact with it on the premises. Initial reports suggest that there are additional equines present on the affected property.
EDCC Health Watch, a marketing program of the Equine Network, utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and distribute verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is a nonprofit organization supported by industry donations to provide accessible infectious disease information.
About EIA
Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease that targets the immune systems of horses. The virus spreads through the exchange of body fluids, often via blood-feeding insects like horseflies, or through contaminated instruments or needles.
A Coggins test detects antibodies in horses’ blood that indicate the presence of the EIA virus. Many U.S. states mandate a negative Coggins test for horses traveling across state lines.
Once a horse contracts EIA, it remains infected for life and can serve as a source of disease transmission. Symptoms may include weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, fever, depression, and anemia.
There is no vaccine or cure for EIA. Infected horses either succumb to the disease, are euthanized, or must be isolated under strict quarantine conditions away from other horses for the remainder of their lives.