In late December, the Arizona Department of Agriculture received confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory that 4 horses from a single premises in Maricopa county were positive for Equine Infectious Anemia virus. Since then, approximately 130 horses have been tested with no additional cases identified.
The affected horses were euthanized.
According to the Arizona Department of Agriculture, “Equine Infectious Anemia is an incurable, contagious, viral disease of horses for which there is no vaccination or treatment available. Typically, most horse owners will have some familiarity with this disease as a negative Coggin’s Test is required for movement of horses across state lines. While not a state law, some show venues within the state may also require horses be tested for EIA to gain access to the grounds in order to compete. As a general part of a herd health plan (vaccines, deworming, dental health etc.), even if one is not hauling a horse across state lines, yearly routine blood work including a Coggin’s test to establish baseline and ongoing negative disease status may be considered.”
The Department says the Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) identified in the horses at the original premises appears to be associated with a very specific subgroup of horses and as such the risk to the greater horse population in Arizona is deemed exceedingly low.