Nebraska Department of Agriculture reports case of incurable equine virus
Case confirmed in Colfax County is first since 2013
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - The Nebraska Department of Agriculture announced Thursday it has confirmed the first case of an incurable equine virus found in the state in over a decade.
The NDA reports a case of equine infectious anemia, or EIA, has been confirmed in a horse in Colfax County. It’s the first case in Nebraska since 2013. The horses on the infected premises are being quarantined and will be released after state regulations are met. NDA staff is working with the owner and local veterinarian to monitor potentially exposed horses.
EIA is an incurable, infectious virus that is spread via blood-to-blood contact through insects like horseflies and deer flies. There are currently no USDA-approved vaccines for the virus.
Common signs of EIA include fever, depression, low platelet count, red or purple spots on the mucous membranes, edema, and muscle weakness or atrophy. Symptoms may appear acute, chronic or inapparent and can appear within a few weeks after infection. It may take at least 60 days for the horse to test positive. Infected animals that survive carry the virus and can infect other horses for life.
Nebraska has import restrictions for livestock entering the state from states that have confirmed EIA cases. Questions should be directed to (402) 471-2351.
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