Equine Infectious Anemia Confirmed in Wichita County Horses

 Equine Infectious Anemia Confirmed in Wichita County Horses 

Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed equine infectious anemia (EIA) in three quarter horses on a Wichita County premises January 21, 2026. These are the first confirmed cases of EIA in Texas this year. 

 After regulatory testing was performed to meet TAHC requirements, the horses were confirmed EIA positive. The premises has been quarantined and will not be released until the TAHC's requirements are met. TAHC staff are working closely with the owner to monitor potentially exposed horses and implement biosecurity measures.

 “EIA cases in Texas continue to rise due to human-facilitated transmissions,” said Dr. Bud Dinges, TAHC executive director and state veterinarian. “This blood-borne disease can be prevented by not reusing needles, medical equipment, or other instruments that could transmit EIA from an infected horse to a healthy horse very quickly. Equine stakeholders should always use the highest standards of animal husbandry and stick to a biosecurity plan to reduce the risk of this disease in their animals.”  

 EIA is an incurable, infectious viral disease spread through blood-to-blood contact, not through proximity or direct contact. The virus can be transmitted from an infected equine to an uninfected equine by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies, deerflies, or stable flies and by people using contaminated medical equipment, such as needles, syringes, IV sets, and medications. When equipment is contaminated with blood from an infected horse, it can spread the disease to healthy, unexposed horses when used again. 

 The most common clinical sign of acute EIA is fever, which often precedes the development of other signs. In chronic cases, clinical signs such as muscle weakness, anemia, and swelling of the lower legs, chest, and abdomen may occur. Veterinarians and producers play an important role in stopping the spread of EIA and other bloodborne equine diseases by reporting sick equine.

 The TAHC reminds equine owners that all Texas equine participating in Texas events must have a negative EIA test within the past 12 months. Equine owners who frequently participate in events with equine from other states are encouraged to speak to their veterinarians about Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspections (EECVIs). The TAHC allows veterinarians and horse owners the option of a six-month health certificate in most circumstances, if a current EIA test has been provided. Horse owners are required to keep the EIA test document or "Coggins papers" and have them available when traveling with horses. Contact your private veterinarian for testing.   Source - TAHC Media 

 All additional Texas EIA cases this year will be posted on the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) website, https://www.equinediseasecc.org/alerts. 

 For more information on EIA please visit https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/brochures/TAHCFactsheet_EIA.pdf.