Seven Texas Horses Confirmed With EIA

Four premises in three counties are affected.
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Seven Texas Horses Confirmed With EIA
A Coggins test screens horses’ blood for antibodies that are indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. | Photo: Alexandra Beckstett/The Horse
Texas Animal Health commission (TAHC) officials have confirmed seven horses in three separate counties with equine infectious anemia (EIA).

In Bastrop County, three Quarter Horses were confirmed and euthanized.

In Travis County, one Quarter horse was confirmed and euthanized.

In Harris County, three Quarter Horses (one on one premises and two on another) were confirmed and euthanized.

All the premises that housed affected horses have been quarantined until TAHC’s requirements have been met. TAHC staff continue to work with the owners and local veterinarians to monitor horses that were potentially exposed, and to enact biosecurity protocols.

About EIA

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 an uninfected animal, often by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies. It can also be transmitted through the use of blood-contaminated instruments or needles.

Coggins test screens horses’ blood for antibodies that are indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. Most U.S. states require horses to have proof of a negative Coggins test to travel across state lines.

Once an animal is infected with EIA, it is infected for life and can be a reservoir for the spread of disease. Not all horses show signs of disease, but those that do can exhibit:

  • Progressive condition loss;
  • Muscle weakness;
  • Poor stamina;
  • Fever;
  • Depression; and
  • Anemia.

EIA has no vaccine and no cure. A horse diagnosed with the disease dies, is euthanized, or must be placed under extremely strict quarantine conditions (at least 200 yards away from unaffected equids) for the rest of his life.

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