Officials at the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) have confirmed 10 Quarter Horses with equine infectious anemia (EIA). The horses resided in five different counties: Ector (1), Crane (3), Deaf Smith (1), Bastrop (2), and Tarrant (3). The Tarrant County horses were confirmed on Aug. 17, Aug. 31, and Sept. 3; however, no confirmation dates were reported for other counties. All were euthanized.

The Ector County horse was euthanized Aug. 11. The horses in Crane County were euthanized Sept. 1. The horses in Bastrop County were euthanized on Sept. 8. No euthanasia dates were reported for the horses in Deaf Smith and Tarrant counties.

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

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.

A 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.