Updated January 24, 2019

The state veterinarian is advising Giles County horse owners of four cases of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in Middle Tennessee.

Staff at the C.E. Kord Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory tested blood samples and determined that four euthanized horses stabled at a farm in Rutherford County were positive for EIA. Six other horses at the same farm tested negative, but will remain in quarantine until they can be tested a second time.

EIA is not contagious to humans. It is a blood-borne illness that can be fatal for horses. Symptoms may include fever, weakness, swelling, loss of appetite, or colic. Infected horses may not show any clinical signs. There is no treatment or vaccine for this infection.

Once infected, a horse must be permanently quarantined or euthanized.

State law requires an annual Coggins test to check for the presence of EIA before any horse is transported from its home farm to a different location which includes Giles County.