Newsdate: June 3, 2025 - 8:30 am
Location: WASHINGTON, DC

A recent cluster of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) cases has once again highlighted the importance of proper training of the individuals that work in equine veterinary clinics to help prevent the spread of disease via iatrogenic transmission.

Fluid used in treating horses.

The investigation indicated the route of the infection identified was EIA-infected blood contamination of heparinized saline in multiple use bottles used to flush catheters by one or more emploees.
© 2022 by Andrew New window.

A cluster of EIA-positives that were infected throughout May 2024 and another cluster from mid-June through the end of August 2024 were found to have originated at a Texas equine clinic. The USDA-APHIS has the complete medical history of the 21 horses confirmed EIA positive that were treated at the Texas clinic. All  of the EIA-infected horses had been hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the clinic and had an IV catheter placed and flushed. 

The current investigation indicated the route of the infection identified was EIA-infected blood contamination of heparinized saline in  multiple use bottles used repeatedly to flush catheters at the clinic by one or more employees of the clinic. The ongoing  re-use of syringes without sterilization in the ICU as a routine procedure caused repeated instances of blood contamination into the bottles. 

As of May 30, the United States Department of Agriculture- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (USDA-APHIS) have identified 21 horses confirmed positive for EIA in four states- California, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. The affected horses are of varying ages, breeds, and disciplines. 

According to the USDA, it is likely that not all of the exposed horses have been tested. Anyone who is concerned that their horse might have been exposed should contact their veterinarian and have their horse(s) tested. 

The next step in the investigation is to compile a more complete list from the clinic’s appointment book of exposed horses that had an IV catheter placed at the clinic in the affected time range while completing regulatory EIA testing of all horses that were potentially exposed. Testing will also be completed on cohorts of any new EIA positive cases.

For more information about Equine Infectious Anemia go to https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-infectious-anemia 

Press release by USDA