EIA is a blood borne disease and is typically transmitted by biting insects (such as horseflies and deerflies), but also can be transmitted from horse to horse through infected needles. There are no treatment options for infected horses, Hughes said.

Horse owners are encouraged to take biosecurity precautions to reduce the risk of infection in their herds, including: implement control measures, including husbandry practices, that reduce biting insects, such as horseflies and deerflies; follow the rule of one horse-one needle; and additions to herds should have a negative Coggins test before being allowed to intermingle with other equine.

For more information related to actions to further protect horses, visit the Nebraska Department of Agriculture website.

EIA symptoms include: fever, depression, weight loss, swelling and anemia. Producers with horses, donkeys or mules that exhibit these symptoms are urged to contact their veterinarian immediately.

Dr. Hughes reminds those who are importing horses into Nebraska for show/exhibition or other reasons to follow Nebraska’s horse import regulations, which includes the requirement of a negative Coggins test – the test utilized to determine the presence of EIA. Producers with questions about import regulations should contact NDA at (402) 471-2351.

—From Nebraska Department of Agriculture news release