Second Weld County horse tests incurable viral disease



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The horses exchange looks as they play in October 2016 in a field off 95th Avenue in West Greeley, near the Powder Learning Center. (Tribune File Photo)

FAQ about equine infectious anemia

What is equine infectious anemia?

Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease transmitted by blood-sucking insects, the inappropriate use of needles or any other equipment used between sensitive equines, such as horses, mules and donkeys . Horses may not appear to have any symptoms of the disease, although it may also cause high fever, weakness, weight loss, enlarged spleen, anemia, weak pulse, and even death.

How is it spread?

It is most often spread by blood biting flies such as horse flies and deer flies. It is important that horse owners use fly control methods to reduce the transmission of diseases related to EIA and other equine viruses.

What happens to an infected horse?

There is no cure for the disease, so infected animals must be quarantined for life or euthanized.

Is there a danger for people?

No. The disease can only be transmitted to horses, mules and donkeys.

Is the disease common?

No. There has only been a small number of cases in the United States, although the disease exists in other parts of the world. A 2015 case map is available here.

How is the disease controlled?

Equine infectious anemia is a disease for which horses must be tested every year before they can be transported across borders. The test for EIA is commonly called a Coggins test. The horse from Arapahoe Park was tested for the last time in May 2015.

Source: Colorado Department of Agriculture

The veterinary office of the Colorado Department of Agriculture was informed of a second Weld County horse tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) on Friday.

The case is not related to the first case of this year in which a welding horse facility was quarantined after a horse tested positive for the disease at the end of August. Christi Lightcap, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Agriculture, said she would not disclose the location of the horse or facilities affected.

State officials were working to locate about 140 horses sent across the state that shared a location with the first positive horse to EIA after the news. The number of horses affected quickly increased and the authorities were confronted with the magnitude of the infectious outbreak in mid-September.

"While the investigation is in its infancy, it is clear that the affected horse has no connection with the horses, locations or movements compared to the previous case in 2018," said Dr. Keith Roehr, state veterinarian, in a press release. The horses of the second Weld County property are subject to quarantine, which limits the movement of horses on or off the property. The risk of transmission of the disease to other horses in Colorado at this time is low because there are no horses housed on adjacent properties, which also reduces the risk of biting the fly horses in the area. "

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