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The State of Idaho's Agriculture Department (ISDA) Receives Confirmation of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Diagnosed in a Horse That Was Shipped From Washington to His Home in Canyon County in May 2019. Most commonly transmitted by stinging insects, AIE is an infectious disease. and a life-threatening viral disease in horses. Needles and equipment contaminated with the blood of an infected horse may also transmit the virus to other horses. At present, there is no vaccine available to prevent EIA. The disease poses no risk to human health.
The Coggins test is the most commonly used laboratory badysis for anti-EIA antibodies. All states require that horses undergo a negative Coggins test before any movement between states. "Horse owners are strongly encouraged to incorporate an annual test of Coggins into their animal health diet, whether or not they travel from one state to another," said Dr. Bill Barton , veterinarian of ISDA. "Horses with IBD are infected all their life and will remain a source of infection for other horses in the vicinity. The Coggins tests are therefore extremely important for managing the spread of EIA. "
The symptoms of an AIE infected horse are often subtle and may go unnoticed. AIE-positive horses can develop low fever or lethargic and have weight loss, yellowing of body tissue, anemia, limb swelling and weakness. All EIA positive horses will not show any signs of illness and these animals will serve as unapparent carriers. Horses with clinical signs of AIE pose the greatest risk of spreading the virus. However, unapparent carriers can be a source of infection and pose a risk to other horses. The law of Idaho has strict requirements for horses infected with AIE in the state, including the isolation of other horses during the life of the animal.
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