A total of eight new cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA) have been confirmed in Manitoba, Canada, in recent days. This is in addition to a case in Alberta, Canada, in early July, and additional cases in Manitoba in June.
On July 11, 2017, two new cases of EIA were confirmed by the CFIA’s national reference laboratory for horses on two separate premises in the rural municipalities of St. Andrews and Hanover in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Both animals had been sampled by an accredited veterinarian to comply with an event pre-entry requirement and clinical signs were not reported. CFIA investigations have been initiated at both premises and work is being done to identify and test other potential contacts as per current policy. The infected animals will be euthanized.
On July 13, 2017, positive EIA results were confirmed by the CFIA’s national reference laboratory for six horses that had been sampled by an accredited veterinarian on a Manitoba, Canada, premises in the rural municipality of Armstrong. The infected animals had been sampled to comply with an event pre-entry requirement and clinical signs were not reported. A CFIA investigation has been initiated at the premises to identify and test susceptible contacts and determine potential links to other EIA-affected premises in MB. As per the current policy, the infected animals will be euthanized.
Earlier this year, EIA-positive horses were found in Armstrong and St. Clements in Manitoba and Red Deer County in Alberta.
The case in Red Deer County was confirmed on July 5 by the Canada Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) national reference laboratory. This was for a horse on a newly affected premises in Red Deer County, Alberta. This animal was tested by the CFIA as part of an ongoing investigation as it had recently resided with a clinically ill EIA-infected horse. As per the current program policy, the CFIA will be identifying and testing susceptible contact animals and the infected horse was euthanized.
About EDCC
The Equine Disease Communication Center works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
The goal of the EDCC is to alert the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of disease. Ultimately frequent and accurate information about diseases outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps to prevent negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading infection. As part of the National Equine Health Plan the EDCC will serve as part of the communication to help educate and promote research about endemic and foreign disease.
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
The EDCC is made possible by generous donations from organizations and horse owners. Please visit our sponsors that have generously supported this program for the benefit of the health and welfare of horses. To learn how you can help go to SUPPORT.
