Disease Alerts

Source: Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System

Number Confirmed: 1;
Clinical Signs: None;  Horse Status: Affected And Alive;
Notes: On November 22, 2021, positive equine infectious anemia (EIA) results were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) national reference laboratory for a horse located on a premises in Athabasca County, Alberta. The horse had been tested by an accredited veterinarian at the owner’s request after being made aware that the horse had commingled with infected animals during the previous summer. No clinical signs of disease were noted by the veterinarian when the animal was tested. A CFIA investigation is underway and as per program policy, movement controls have been placed on the infected horse and any on-premises contact animals. Initial reports indicate there are several other equines on the affected premises. Movement controls will remain until all disease response activities have been completed, including follow-up testing and ordering the destruction of confirmed cases. Trace-out activities may require the CFIA to undertake actions at additional premises as outlined in the current policy. Improved biosecurity protocols have been strongly recommended to the owners to help control the ongoing spread of EIA and protect our national herd.  See the EIA factsheet.

Source: Canadian Animal Heath Surveillance System

Number Confirmed: Multiple cases
Facility Type: Racetrack;
Breed: Standardbred; Clinical Signs: Fever, Respiratory Signs, Pneumonia, Coughing; Onset of Clinical Signs: 11/19/2021 Horse Status: Affected And Alive; Vaccination Status: Unvaccinated;
Notes: Equine influenza has been diagnosed in several Standardbred racehorses at a racetrack in Edmonton, Alberta. Horses started developing fevers (103-105°F) on November 19, 2021 followed by nasal discharge and deep barking coughs. A few have develop mild cases of pneumonia. Equine influenza virus was diagnosed on PCR testing of nasal swabs. The most severely affected horses had not been vaccinated recently for influenza. Affected horses are receiving supportive treatment and strict biosecurity measures are in place. For guidance on vaccination of horses for influenza and other equine contagious diseases, contact a veterinarian. For more information go to: Equine Influenza Factsheet

Source: Washington State Veterinary Office

Number Confirmed: 1;
Number Suspected: 1;
Facility Type: Boarding Facility;
Notes: A horse at a boarding facility in Pierce County has tested positive for Strangles. The facility is working with a private vet and about 10 other horses are on site. For more information on Strangles go to the Strangles factsheet. 

Source: Tennessee Department of Agriculture

Number Confirmed: 1;
Facility Type: Farm;
Age: 22; Gender: Gelding; Breed: Tennessee Walking Horses; Onset of Clinical Signs: 11/16/2021;
Clinical Signs: Ataxia, Recumbency; Confirmation Date: 11/23/2021; Horse Status: Euthanized; Vaccination Status: Unvaccinated;
Notes: For more information about West Nile Virus go to the West Nile Virus factsheet. 

Source: Ohio Department of Agriculture

Number Confirmed: 1;
Facility Type: Training Facility;
Notes: A horse at a training facility in Cuyahoga County has tested positive for West Nile Virus. For more information about West Nile Virus go to the West Nile Virus factsheet. 

Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Number Confirmed: 1;
Facility Type: Private Facility;
Age: 9; Gender: Stallion; Breed: Quarter Horse (QH); Onset of Clinical Signs: 10/9/2021;
Clinical Signs: Depression, Fever, Head shaking, Inability to Stand, incoordination, Muscle Twitching; Confirmation Date: 10/22/2021; Horse Status: Recovering; Vaccination Status: Unvaccinated;
Notes: This is the 4th confirmed case of WNV for Florida in 2021. The 19th confirmed EEE case for Florida was also confirmed on the same premises. For more information about West Nile Virus go to the WNV factsheet. 

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Number Confirmed: 1;
Notes: On November 12, 2021, positive equine infectious anemia (EIA) results were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) national reference laboratory for a horse located on a premises in Fraser-Fort George, Subdivision A., British Columbia. The horse had been tested by an accredited veterinarian at the owner’s request because it was exhibiting clinical signs compatible with EIA infection. This horse was acquired in the last 1.5 years from the packhorse/guiding industry which has had EIA cases in the past. A CFIA investigation is underway and as per program policy, movement controls have been placed on the infected horse and any on-premises contact animals. Initial reports indicate there are other equines on the affected premises. Movement controls will remain until all disease response activities have been completed, including follow-up testing and ordering the destruction of confirmed cases. Trace-out activities may require the CFIA to undertake actions at additional premises as outlined in the current policy. Improved biosecurity protocols have been strongly recommended to the owners to help control the ongoing spread of EIA and protect our national herd.

Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Number Confirmed: 1;
Notes: On November 12, 2021, positive equine infectious anemia (EIA) results were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) national reference laboratory for a horse located on a premises in Parkland County, Alberta. The horse had been tested by an accredited veterinarian at the owner’s request because it was exhibiting clinical signs compatible with EIA infection. A CFIA investigation is underway and as per program policy, movement controls have been placed on the infected horse and any on-premises contact animals. Initial reports indicate there are several other equines on the affected premises. Movement controls will remain until all disease response activities have been completed, including follow-up testing and ordering the destruction of confirmed cases. Trace-out activities may require the CFIA to undertake actions at additional premises as outlined in the current policy. Improved biosecurity protocols have been strongly recommended to the owners to help control the ongoing spread of EIA and protect our national herd.

Source: Attending Veterinarian

Number Confirmed: 1;
Number Suspected: 1-2;
Facility Type: Boarding Facility;
Age: 5; Gender: Gelding; Breed: Warmblood (WB); Onset of Clinical Signs: 11/11/2021;
Clinical Signs: Fever, Mild Nasal Discharge; Confirmation Date: 11/16/2021; Horse Status: Affected And Alive; Vaccination Status: Vaccinated;
Notes: A boarding facility in Ingham County is under a voluntary quarantine after a horse has tested positive for EHV-4. Since the quarantine has been enforced, no other horses on the farm have demonstrated clinical signs. A riding clinic was held the weekend prior to this horse developing clinical signs. Visiting horses were stabled next to the affected horse. One other horse at the facility developed a cough and nasal discharge a few days prior to this horse. For more information about EHV go to:  EHV factsheet

Source: Washington State Veterinary Office

Number Confirmed: 1;
Number Suspected: 1;
Notes: A private facility in Skagit County is under voluntary quarantine after a horse has tested positive for Strangles. The owner is practicing biosecurity and voluntary quarantine with private vet oversight. A second horse test pending.  For more information about Strangles go to the Strangles factsheet.