Equine infectious anemia in Oklahoma

According to the Equine Disease Communications Center, The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture (ODAFF) has confirmed the first EIA-positive horse for 2017 in Oklahoma. Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by a virus and spread through blood-to-blood contact such as biting flies and contaminated medical instruments. The 8-year-old registered Quarter Horse gelding in Choctaw County was euthanized. Past EIA test history for this horse is unknown, but the horse was actively involved in rodeo and roping events. ODAFF recommends regular EIA testing for all horses, including those that do not leave the property, at least every 3 years.
Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an incurable, infectious disease caused by a virus that can affect horses, donkeys, asses and other equine. This virus destroys red blood cells and is spread through blood-to-blood contact, not through close proximity or casual contact. The virus can be transmitted from an infected equine to a “clean” equine by biting flies, the use of unsterilized or contaminated medical instruments, or through a blood transfusion. This disease does not affect humans.
No vaccine or treatment exists for the disease. Clinical signs of EIA include fever, weight loss, icterus (yellowing of good blood pressure), anemia, swelling in the limbs, and weakness. However, not all equids infected with the equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) show signs of illness, and these animals serve as inapparent carriers.
Click or tap here to read or download a fact sheet about EIA from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Veterinary Services…
Click or tap here to read a fact sheet about EIA from the Texas Animal Health Commission…