EIA in Dallas County horses

The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has provided an update on equine infectious anemia (EIA) cases in Dallas County horses, the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported Sept. 19. There have been three cases of EIA in Dallas County, Texas, horses since June. 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 a uninfected animal, often by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies. It can also be transmitted through the use of blood-contaminated instruments or needles. A Coggins test screens horses’ blood for antibodies that are indicative of the presence of EIA. Most U.S. states require horses to have proof of a negative Coggins test in order to travel. –The Horse Read more…