A horse originating from a sale in Weld County, Colorado, crossed state lines, prior to results of the horse's Coggin's test being reported - after the positive test result was read the horse was traced to Wyoming. It is believed over 240 horses were housed with the infected individual that are dispersed among 20 states.
Federal Law requires all horses entering competitive events, being moved interstate, changing ownership, or entering an auction/sale have a current proof of a negative Coggins test result. Many states have additional requirements to the Federal ones.
The Coggin's test, evaluates whether a horse has been infected with a disease called Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), also known as Swamp Fever. The disease is spread by large flies called Tabanids (e.g. Horse Flies and Deer Flies). Once infected, horses are considered lifelong carriers. They may exhibit illness that results in death, repeated illness, or be carriers acting as reservoirs for the infection to additional horses. Carriers can become ill if they become stressed.
There is no vaccine for EIA and there is no treatment. Prevention by isolating and removing individuals infection is the only means of disease control.
Check out The Denver Post for their new article: "It's a hell of a mess": Sick Weld County horse ignites multi-state quarantine involving hundreds of animals - September 7, 2018
For more information on EIA, check out this article from the American Association of Equine Practitioners: Equine Infectious Anemia
For more information on Federal Requirements check the USDA APHIS website: Equine Infectious Anemia
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