EIA Follow up Article
http://www.wibc.com/News/Story.aspx?ID=92316
Three Horses Near Seymour Diagnosed With Fatal Virus
Cases are first since 2006, but state officials don't expect wider outbreak
By Eric Berman
5/29/2008
A horse-killing virus has reappeared in Indiana for the first time since 2006.
Three horses on a Jackson County farm were put to sleep after testing positive for swamp fever, also known as equine infectious anemia.
Horses, donkeys or mules can catch the disease from being bitten by flies which have bitten other infected animals.
Swamp fever is classified as a blood-borne disease, not insect-borne. Horseflies transmit the disease in the same way as unsterilized needles or dental tools can.
Tim Bartlett is equine director for the State Board of Animal Health. He believes this outbreak started with one horse's infected mother in Tennessee. That makes it likely there won't be more cases, but Bartlett says it's important for horse owners to have their animals tested.
Swamp fever is common in the South, especially Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. Indiana typically sees only a couple of cases a year.
Three Horses Near Seymour Diagnosed With Fatal Virus
Cases are first since 2006, but state officials don't expect wider outbreak
By Eric Berman
5/29/2008
A horse-killing virus has reappeared in Indiana for the first time since 2006.
Three horses on a Jackson County farm were put to sleep after testing positive for swamp fever, also known as equine infectious anemia.
Horses, donkeys or mules can catch the disease from being bitten by flies which have bitten other infected animals.
Swamp fever is classified as a blood-borne disease, not insect-borne. Horseflies transmit the disease in the same way as unsterilized needles or dental tools can.
Tim Bartlett is equine director for the State Board of Animal Health. He believes this outbreak started with one horse's infected mother in Tennessee. That makes it likely there won't be more cases, but Bartlett says it's important for horse owners to have their animals tested.
Swamp fever is common in the South, especially Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. Indiana typically sees only a couple of cases a year.