EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANEMIA – USA: (TEXAS) HORSE
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 3 Feb 2025
Source: Texas Animal Health Commission [edited]
https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/2025/2025-02-03_EIA-DentonCo.pdf?fbclid=Iw
Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed equine
infectious anemia (EIA) in a quarter horse on a Denton County premises
on 14 Jan 2025. This is the 1st confirmed case of EIA in Texas this
year [2025].
After regulatory testing performed to meet TAHC requirements, the
horse was confirmed positive for the disease. The premises has been
quarantined and will not be released until the TAHC’s requirements are
met. TAHC staff are working closely with the owner and local
veterinarian to monitor potentially exposed horses and implement
biosecurity measures.
“In 2024, TAHC received positive EIA confirmations for more than 70
equines in counties across Texas,” said Dr. Bud Dinges, TAHC executive
director and state veterinarian. “Through epidemiological and disease
investigations, it has been determined that a majority of these cases
were iatrogenically transmitted, or human-facilitated transmissions.
With the rise in cases, we remind veterinarians, owners, trainers, and
others using medical equipment to implement high biosecurity standards
to reduce the risk of blood-borne diseases.”
EIA is an incurable, infectious viral disease spread through
blood-to-blood contact, not through proximity or direct contact. The
virus can be transmitted from an infected equine to an uninfected
equine by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies, deerflies, or
stable flies and by people using contaminated medical equipment, such
as needles, syringes, IV sets, and medications. When equipment is
contaminated with blood from an infected horse, it can spread the
disease to healthy, unexposed horses when used again.
The most common clinical sign of acute EIA is fever, which often
precedes the development of other signs. In chronic cases, clinical
signs such as muscle weakness, anemia, and swelling of the lower legs,
chest, and abdomen may occur. Veterinarians and producers play an
important role in stopping the spread of EIA and other bloodborne
equine diseases by reporting sick equine.
The TAHC reminds equine owners that all Texas equine participating in
Texas events must have a negative EIA test within the past 12 months.
Equine owners who frequently participate in events with equine from
other states are encouraged to speak to their veterinarians about
Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection’s (EECVIs). The
TAHC allows veterinarians and horse owners the option of a 6-month
health certificate, if a current EIA test has been provided. Horse
owners are required to keep the EIA test document or “Coggins papers”
and have them available when traveling with horses. Contact your
private veterinarian for testing.