Case of Equine Infectious Anemia Confirmed

An equine biosecurity alert has been issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency which oversees biosecuity and livestock including equines. The CFIA report of April 15, 2011, indicates the first case of Equine Infectious Anemia also called "Swamp Fever" has been confirmed in the west central area of the province of Saskatchewan.

The horse has been humanely euthanized, and the twelve in-contact members of the herd are isolated and undergoing further testing.
Equine Infectious Anemia  is an infectious and potentially fatal viral disease of horses and related species such as donkeys and mules.

Signs of the disease may include, fever, depression, progressive weakness, weight loss, swelling of the legs and abdomen, and anemia. Many horses affected with EIA show no clinical signs of the disease; however, they remain carriers of the virus for life, and can be a source of infection for susceptible animals.

All horse owners, members and horse event managers are alerted to the need for vigilance in the control of this disease and are urged to require a negative EIA test for any horses coming in to a premise from an outside location. This includes boarding stables, horse shows, clinics, trail rides, or any event that invites or allows the assembly of horses from more than one location for any purpose.