Thanks to the Equine Disease Communication Center, we are hearing about more cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in North American horses. 

On December 4, the Colorado Department of Agriculture confirmed EIA in a horse that was tested for routine movement. The horse is quarantined in Fremont County. This is the fourth case of EIA in Colorado this year and is unrelated to the previous three cases. For more information go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agmain/news/1242018-fourth-eia-positive-horse-identified-colorado.

On November 21, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed a horse with EIA in Athabasca County, Alberta. No clinical signs of disease were noted at the time of sampling. A CFIA investigation is underway and as per program policy, and a quarantine has been placed on the infected animal and its on-premises contact animals. Initial reports indicate there are several equines on the affected premises. The quarantine will remain until all disease response activities have been completed, including follow-up testing and ordering the destruction of positive cases.

Veterinarians can share this information from the AAEP with their clients on the basics of EIA in horses.