On October 7, 2021, positive equine infectious anemia (EIA) results were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) national reference laboratory for a number of horses in western provinces. The first was horse located on a premises in Parkland County, Alberta. The horse, which had recently been purchased at an auction in Alberta, had been tested by an accredited veterinarian at the owner’s request prior to being exported to the U.S. No clinical signs were noted at the time of sampling; initial reports indicate there are other equines on the affected premises.
On the same date, positive EIA results were confirmed for two horses located on a farm in Fort Nelson, British Columbia. The horses had been tested at the owner’s request because they were exhibiting clinical signs compatible with EIA infection. Two other horses had previously died on the premises with similar presentations but they had not been tested for EIA.
Positive EIA results were also confirmed for a mare located on a premises in Athabasca County, Alberta. The horse had been tested by the CFIA because its foal had previously received non-negative results on testing for U.S. export. Due to the age of the foal, its disease status cannot be confirmed at this time; future testing will be performed as per program policy.There are several other equines on the property.
In all these cases, a CFIA investigation is underway and movement controls have been placed on the infected horses and any on-premises contact animals. Movement controls will remain until all disease response activities have been completed, including follow-up testing and ordering the destruction of confirmed cases.
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