EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia)

[Medalia]

Hello everyone:

this has been worrying me a great deal. In Canada, but centralized in Alberta (where I live)there has been an outbreak of Equine Infectious Anemia, or commonly known as "Swamp fever". this is transmitted my mosquito bites, from one horse to another. I'm a little paranoid now, but I do think that I have reason to be.

They had done an artical in Horse Illustrated™ about it, but I cannot find the issue. Is it really true that if your horse contracts it, then there is no cure? Do you have to put your horse down?

~Does anyone have any ideas about how to keep mosquitoes away?

~ Can anyone refer me to a site that has EIA on it?

thank you all:


[Note: This message has been edited by Mike]

[Tikki]

Hi Medalia

We are not so threatened by EIA here in Britain so I can't comment on that.

I have however noticed in 'horsey' catalogues that you can get net rugs and hoods and things which are designed to keep flies and things off the horse. It won't completely solve the problem, but it might help? :-)

Tikki

[CLAUDIA]

Sadly enough, there is no cure for EIA and it's recommended that horses that are tested positively be euthanized. The horse can have it with no outward symptoms, and the disease is similar to HIV and AIDS in humans. Have someone test your horse and be sure the sample is sent to an approved laboratory. The reason it's so important to test questionable horses is that if the horse comes into contact, or even is within close proximity to other horses, the disease can be transmitted if the horse is carrying the EIA virus, even if no outward symptoms are apparent. Since EIA affects all breeds and ages of equines equally, it's advised by the USDA to have even a weanling tested if his contact history with other equines is not known. Horses can have the disease with no symptoms or problems at all, but they must be isolated from other horses. Remember to never allow someone to use a needle on your horse if it's been used before. Blood-feeding insects such as the deer fly, horse fly, stable fly, and mosquito also have the potential to carry the virus from one horse to another. Use disposable syringes and needles and use them only once. Prevention is important so be sure to have your horses tested, and encourage other horse owners in the area to do the same. Implement insect control programs on your farm. Clean and sterilize all instruments after each use. Keep stables and facilities clean, which will reduce the fly population. Remove anything that will allow water to stand, mosquitoes breed in standing water. This means old tires, bird baths, and cleaning or repairing gutters (ick). Hope this helps. :)



[This message has been edited by CLAUDIA (edited 19 June 1999).]

[CLAUDIA]

I found an article that tells about a few different types of insects that feed on blood. It may help with prevention :)

http://www.manepoints.com/health/flies.html

[Medalia]

thank you all!! Those have made me less worried by a long stretch!

[Moke]

Not to scare you, but I'd have the Coggins test done to my horse ASAP.