Arizona
Equine Infectious Anemia has arrived in Arizona. So far, it has been traced to Rawhide, off I-10 near the Chandler Boulevard exit.
EIA is in our area, 8 miles southwest of the City of Maricopa. It has been found in a mule being boarded at a large facility. The mule's owner got a Coggins test in preparation for a trip out of state. The boarding facility is now under quarantine for the next 60 days. Blood is being drawn again on the mule by the State Department, and on all the animals at the facility.
This disease is transmitted by horse flies and deer flies that have bitten an infected animal. They then fly to another animal, bite it, and transmit the disease.
There is no cure. There is no vaccine. The animal can be quarantined under very stringent rules, for the rest of its life. Usually, the animal is euthanized.
The State Department will notify the vet's office next week, with the final information on the blood tests they conducted.
If you can, please put a mask and a fly sheet on your horse(s). Use fly spray on the rest of your horse that is exposed.
Buyers beware...demand a negative Coggins Test on any horse you plan to purchase.
For more information contact the Az. Dept. of Ag. at 602-542-4293.
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