An outbreak of equine infectious anemia (EIA) at a veterinary hospital in Ireland is leading some researchers and veterinarians to postulate the virus might be transmissible through the air in some exceptional circumstances. This is the first time scientists have observed a situation that points to aerosol transmission of the virus.

In summer 2006, the virus spread from one mare to all the other adult horses sharing one barn at Troytown Equine Hospital in County Kildare, Ireland. All of those adults became ill and were euthanatized over the following five months.

"At the time, on the 14th of June, we were confident that there no biting flies present and that the spread of the disease via contaminated needle or instrument could not have occurred," said Michael Sadlier, MVB, MRCVS, CertESM, CertES, MACVSc, a partner at Troytown. "The biosecurity in Troytown Hospital meets the highest international standards. The subsequent spread of the disease to other horses in the same barn must have been by a previously undocumented means."

blood draw

Create a free account with TheHorse.com to view this content.

TheHorse.com is home to thousands of free articles about horse health care. In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse.com.

Start your free account today!

Already have an account?
and continue reading.