Equine Infectious Anemia
What is it?
Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIA), also known as Swamp Fever, is a potentially fatal viral disease. It may be an equine reportable disease in your state. Contact your state agricultural department for more information. What are the symptoms?
Symptoms may include one or more of the following: Fever, depression, decreased appetite, fatigue, reduced stamina or weakness, rapid weight loss. Where does it come from?
EIA is transmitted by blood or by passage across the placenta in the pregnant mare directly to the foal. Blood transmission can occur via blood-sucking insects such as horse flies, deer flies and mosquitoes. How is it diagnosed?
The Coggins test is the only way to accurately determine whether a horse is infected. All positive cases must be filed with the state veterinarians and the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Once you have a negative Coggins further testing is not required although it is highly recommended at least once a year. You may be required to have a test done yearly to show or transport your horse, so other people will know your horse is safe. How is it treated?
No specific treatment is available. Federal and state health agencies support equine euthanasia as the most prudent option. As an alternative, antibody-positive animals must be quarantined in a screened stall at at a safe distance (at least 1,000 feet) from other horses. How is it prevented?
There is no cure or effective treatment for EIA. Most infected horses show no symptoms but remain contagious for life, endangering the health of other horses. There is no vaccine for EIA. Board your horse only where a negative Coggins test is required of all horses before they come on the premises.
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