A Coggins test screens horses’ blood for antibodies that are indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. | Photo: Alexandra Beckstett/The Horse

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) reported June 4 that, on May 29, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reference laboratory confirmed a case of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in a horse from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, Subdivision B, in British Columbia.

“The horse had been sampled by an accredited veterinarian at the owner’s request prior to moving the horse to another premise in Canada,” the EDCC said. “No clinical signs of disease were noted at the time of sampling.

“A CFIA investigation is underway and as per program policy, a quarantine has been placed on the infected horse and its on-premises contact animals; initial reports indicate there are several equines on the affected premise,” the EDCC said. “The quarantine will remain until all disease response activities have been completed, including follow-up testing and ordering the destruction of positive cases. Trace-out activities may require the CFIA to undertake actions at additional premises as outlined in the current policy