Texas Horse Positive for EIA
A horse in El Paso County, Texas, was confirmed positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA) and has been euthanized.
A horse in El Paso County, Texas, was confirmed positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA) and has been euthanized. | Wikimedia Commons

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) confirmed that a paint horse in El Paso County, Texas, tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). The horse has been euthanized. The entire premises has been quarantined and will not be released until the TAHC’s requirements are met. The TAHC is working closely with owners and local veterinarians to monitor potentially exposed horses.

EDCC Health Watch is an Equine Network marketing program that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and disseminate verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization that is supported by industry donations in order to provide open access to infectious disease information.

About EIA

Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease that attacks horses’ immune systems. The virus is transmitted through the exchange of body fluids from an infected to an uninfected animal, often by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies. It can also be transmitted through the use of blood-contaminated instruments or needles.

Coggins test screens horses’ blood for antibodies that are indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. Most U.S. states require horses to have proof of a negative Coggins test to travel across state lines.

Once an animal is infected with EIA, it is infected for life and can be a reservoir for the spread of disease. Not all horses show signs of disease, but those that do can exhibit:

  • Progressive body condition loss;
  • Muscle weakness;
  • Poor stamina;
  • Fever;
  • Depression; and
  • Anemia.

EIA has no vaccine and no cure. A horse diagnosed with the disease dies, is euthanized, or must be placed under extremely strict quarantine conditions (at least 200 yards away from unaffected equids) for the rest of his life.

Share
Related Articles
horse in stable
Paso Fino Stallion in Florida Tests Positive for WNV
Horse in a stall
Ontario Gelding Tests Positive for WNV
Silhouette of a beautiful Arabian horse against sun shining thro
Ontario Filly Dies After Contracting EEE
White horse eye
Unvaccinated New York Mare Positive for WNV
Newsletter
Don’t miss an important EDCC Health Alert! Get alerts delivered straight to your inbox by signing up for Horse & Rider’s newsletter.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Additional Offers
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.