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

A recently gathered wild burro at the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Florence, Arizona, facility tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA) on July 25. Officials removed the jenny on Aug. 1 and quarantined the facility. No animals adopted or sold before July 24 were exposed.

This marks the first EIA case at the facility, and the Arizona state veterinarian continues to investigate the case to determine the source.

The burro did not exhibit any signs of disease, but because veterinarians EIA-test all equids entering the facility, the BLM quickly identified and addressed the positive test result. The BLM contacted people who adopted or purchased animals from the facility after July 24, and those 13 animals have been returned to the facility for monitoring. Until officials lift the quarantine, all adoptions and sales from the facility are on hold. After state and federal animal health officials determine it’s safe to resume normal operations, they will lift the quarantine (a minimum of 60 days following the donkey’s removal if no further cases are confirmed)