State Veterinarian looking for those who bought horses in County Weld this summer

The State Veterinary Office is trying to locate 140 horses across Colorado following an investigation of a horse from County Weld that tested positive for equine infectious anemia on August 24th.

The disease, which is transmitted by biting flies and can not be cured, is relatively rare in the United States.

The Weld County facility where the infected horse has been kept, which the state has not named, is under a quarantine order from the state.

According to the press release of the State Department of Agriculture, two "associated institutions" are also under sentence of death in County Weld. Fifteen locals located in nine counties of Colorado are also waiting.

The state veterinarian has determined that about 240 horses are in the facility now quarantined at the same time as the horse tested positive for the virus, the statement said.

At this time, no other horse has been tested positive for the virus.

About 100 horses have been sent to 20 other states, the statement said, and the state is trying to find, quarantine and test the horses again.

The remaining 140 horses are still in Colorado. State veterinarian Keith Roehr is asking horse owners to contact his office when they buy horses in County Weld between July 18 and August 20 this year.

Up to now, 37 exposed horses have been found in Colorado.

The state will apply quarantine and maintain orders until horses exposed on these sites are tested negative for a new 60-day test, the statement said.

Equine infectious anemia can only be transmitted between equines, usually through the bloodstream by biting flies. Although some horses have no symptoms, they can cause high fever, weakness, weight loss, anemia or even death.

As there is no cure for the disease, the horse tested first was euthanized, the statement said.

The state veterinarian's office can be reached at 303-869-9130 or at the address [email protected].

Madeline St. Amour: 303-684-5212, [email protected]