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Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)

Cases of Equine Infectious Anemia in Alberta

As of December 6th, 2021, 87 cases of EIA have been detected on 15 premises, located in 10 different counties or municipalities (Athabasca, Big Lakes, Bonnyville, Foothills, Grande Prairie, Lac Ste. Anne, Opportunity, Parkland, Smoky Lake, and Sturgeon). The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian is electing to notify all owners of horses registered in Alberta’s PID system by email to increase horse owner awareness.


For more current information, new cases are generally available on the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Systems (CAHSS) equine disease dashboard within 2 to 3 weeks of detection by CFIA. A link to the dashboard can be found at the CAHSS equine network page at https://cahss.ca/cahss-networks/equine


Equine infectious anemia case in Alberta, November 26, 2021

On November 26, 2021, positive equine infectious anemia (EIA) results were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) national reference laboratory for two horses located on a premises...


Equine influenza in Alberta, November, 2021

Equine influenza has been diagnosed in several Standardbred racehorses at a racetrack in Edmonton, Alberta.


Equine infectious anemia case in Alberta, November 12, 2021

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.


More information can be found on the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) Equine Diseases Dashboard or through the Disease Alerts Tool.


For more information on EIA go to https://aaep.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Outside%20Linked%20Documents/DiseaseFactsheet_EIA%20Cobranded.pdf;


More information can be found on the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS) Equine Diseases Dashboard or through the Disease Alerts Tool.


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EIA, also known as “swamp fever,” is a viral disease of horses and other equids (i.e. donkeys, mules, and zebras) that causes recurrent episodes of fever, lethargy and destruction of red blood cells (anemia) and platelets (thrombocytopenia).


Most EIA-infected horses show no clinical signs of disease; however, they remain carriers of the virus for life and can be a source of infection for susceptible animals.


In Canada, EIA is listed as a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. Accordingly, when EIA is suspected, it must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

With neither cure nor vaccine in existence, veterinarians and ­researchers must supervise the equine infectious anemia virus ­closely to avoid widespread disease

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS)

Alberta Veterinary Medical Association 

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