Equine Infectious Anemia

HEADLINES

Kentucky Reports Four Horses in Marshall County to be EIA Positive - September 11, 2015

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is reporting today that during the past two weeks, four (4) horses in Western Kentucky’s Marshall County have tested positive for detection of equine infectious anemia (EIA). These are the first Kentucky horses found positive for the viral disease since 2007. The initial horse was found positive as a result of testing performed by a private veterinarian, with the remaining three (3) cases discovered through testing conducted as part of the KDA investigation. Each of the horses were confirmed positive by additional testing and have since been humanely destroyed and buried. Seven (7) additional ‘cohorts’ tested negative on the initial testing. These seven remain under quarantine and will be periodically sampled during the next 60 days.

Though the route of transmission cannot be definitively determined, iatronic transmission has not been ruled out. The fact that one group of seven horses were commingled in a confined location the past 10 months with no evidence of transmission, minimizes chance of natural transmission having occurred.

The horses testing positive are described to be pleasure riding horses that have resided on one of two farms for several years and range in age from six to twenty-one years of age. When the positive horses were evaluated by KDA, they were found to be asymptomatic and in good body condition. The older horses were all reported to have been purchased through livestock markets, and as such would have been tested negative at the time of purchase. These pleasure horses have not regularly participated in practices that required they be routinely tested, and are defined as representing the ‘untested population’.

EIA HISTORY & GUIDELINES OF PROGRAM

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an infectious viral disease affecting members of the horse family.

In 1974, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture implemented a program to determine the occurrence of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) among Kentucky's equine population.  Testing conducted during the late 1970's and into the 1980's annually identified between 120 and 150 animals as affected with EIA.  During the mid 80's and throughout the 90's an increased amount of attention was placed on stopping the spread of EIA amongst Kentucky's equine population.  Today in excess of 100,000 samples are tested annually with fewer than five (5) animals being identified as affected with EIA.  Late in 2002, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for the first time since its' inception amended the EIA Testing requirement from six (6) months to twelve (12) months for equine being offered for sale or changing ownership.  FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEETING STATE TESTING REQUIREMENTS THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REQUIRES THAT THE ANIMALS BE TESTED USING AN OFFICIAL TEST METHOD CONDUCTED BY A LABORATORY APPROVED BY THE USDA.

OFFICIAL TESTS

The Kentucky State Board of Agriculture recognizes both the agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) and the ELISA as official tests. When time permits, we encourage the use of the AGID test. Though not often, we have on occasion seen instances of "false positives" being reported when using the ELISA test. In addition the ELISA tests are not always recognized by some states as "official" and are not recognized as "official" tests for the purpose of exporting animals from the United States. In the event that an ELISA test is used for the interstate movement of an animal, we would encourage you to contact the state of destination to insure that the test is recognized.

SALE & EXHIBITION

(1) Sale. All horses and other equidae, except un-weaned foals accompanied by their dam, offered for sale, traded, given away, leased, or moved for the purpose of change of ownership shall be negative to an AGID test or other USDA approved test for equine infectious anemia within the previous twelve (12) months. Equine which are offered for sale at approved auction markets without proof of a negative test for EIA within the previous twelve (12) months shall have a blood sample drawn at the market by the approved market veterinarian at the seller's expense.

(2) Exhibition. All horses and other equidae, except un-weaned foals accompanied by their dam, offered for exhibition (i.e., entry into fairgrounds, livestock show grounds, public boarding stables, trail rides, racing, etc.) shall be negative to an AGID test or other USDA approved test for equine infectious anemia within the previous twelve (12) months.

Kentucky Annual Testing Statistics

Annual EIA Testing In KY Testing Trends

Last Updated: 2/01/2016

2016 Kentucky Testing Summary

2016 Monthly Testing