Oklahoma Gelding Diagnosed With EIA, Euthanized
A Coggins test screens horses’ blood for antibodies that are indicative of the presence of the EIA virus. | Photo: Erica Larson/The Horse
A 2-year-old grade gelding in Oklahoma was euthanized on July 15, 2019, after testing positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA), according to a Equine Disease Communication Center report released on July 26, 2019.

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 in to travel across state lines.

RELATED CONTENT: EIA, Coggins Tests, and Protecting Your Horse
RELATED CONTENT: EIA, Coggins Tests, and Protecting Your Horse

Once an animal is infected with EIA, it is infected for life and can be a reservoir for the spread of disease

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.