The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has issued an update on three separate equine health concerns currently affecting horses in that state. There are confirmed cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA), equine herpesvirus myeloencephalitis (EHM), and strangles.

“The Colorado Department of Agriculture is working with the equine industry and veterinarians to contain the spread of these diseases,” said state veterinarian Keith Roehr, DVM. “An important reminder is that owners should always practice proper disease prevention practices for their horses. Proper sanitation and biosecurity is often the first step in protecting your horse.”

Equine infectious anemia

On May 4, the CDA’s State Veterinarian’s Office received notice from the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory that a Weld County horse tested positive for EIA. There are now two additional cases of EIA at the index location, these horses belong to the same owner. All three horses have been euthanized. The Weld County facility is currently under a quarantine order that restricts movement of horses pending the results of further testing.

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 noninfected animal, often by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies, and more rarely through the use of blood-contaminated instruments or needles