Published Date: 1999-06-16 23:50:00
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Equine infectious anemia - Canada (Alberta)
Archive Number: 19990616.1021
EQUINE INFECTIOUS ANEMIA - CANADA (ALBERTA)
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See Also
Equine infectious anemia - USA (Utah) (08) 980723224348Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 22:48:40 -0400
From: "Marjorie P. Pollack" <pollackmp@mindspring.com>
Source: Edmonton Sun [edited
A deadly equine virus carried by horseflies and mosquitoes has forced
veterinarians to destroy more than 120 horses in Alberta this year, a
federal agency says.
Equine infectious anemia (EIA), an incurable disease, also known as swamp
fever, is a virus which infects red blood cells in horses, donkeys and
mules. When the animal's immune system destroys the infected blood cells,
its reduced blood count causes anemia.
"Then they die," said Ardrossan veterinarian and equine specialist Bob
Jones. "They begin losing fluids, their legs swell up, and they get sick,
lethargic and weak ... You catch it, you die. It's kind of a dreaded
disease."
Doug Scott, a veterinarian with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said
about 125 horses have been diagnosed with swamp fever in Alberta in 1999.
"To my knowledge, they have all been destroyed," he said. Although Scott
could not say how many Alberta horses died due to the virus last year, the
Saskatchewan Horse Federation said 63 infected horses were found in 1992
across Canada.
About 75 of the horses destroyed in Alberta this year were diagnosed in
February and March, following an investigation where over 2000 horses were
tested after coming into contact with some infected animals riding in the
Western Canada pony chuckwagon circuit.
"Most of it is transferred by biting insects. Mosquitoes, horseflies - or a
person (veterinarian/owner) with a dirty needle," said Jones. "In the middle
of winter, you're pretty safe around here. But summer's bad."
Veterinarians recommend horse owners take these steps:
- When injecting medication into horses, use disposable needles and
syringes, one per animal.
- After using dental tools or other instruments on a horse, sterilize them
before using them again.
- Test horses at least once a year for swamp fever.
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