Equine infectious anemia

Equine infectious anemia virus
Virus classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Virus
Realm: Riboviria
Kingdom: Pararnavirae
Phylum: Artverviricota
Class: Revtraviricetes
Order: Ortervirales
Family: Retroviridae
Genus: Lentivirus
Species:
Equine infectious anemia virus

Equine infectious anemia or equine infectious anaemia (EIA), also known by horsemen as swamp fever, is a horse disease caused by a retrovirus (Equine infectious anemia virus) and transmitted by bloodsucking insects. The virus (EIAV) is endemic in the Americas, parts of Europe, the Middle and Far East, Russia, and South Africa. The virus is a lentivirus, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Like HIV, EIA can be transmitted through blood, milk, and body secretions. Transmission is primarily through biting flies, such as the horse-fly and deer-fly.[1] The virus survives up to 4 hours in the vector. Contaminated surgical equipment and recycled needles and syringes, and bits[2] can transmit the disease. Mares can transmit the disease to their foals via the placenta. The risk of transmitting the disease is greatest when an infected horse is ill, as the blood levels of the virus are then highest.

  1. ^ "Equine Infectious Anemia: Introduction". The Merck Veterinary Manual. 2006. Retrieved 2007-06-23.
  2. ^ Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) Archived 2009-07-27 at the Wayback Machine, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, retrieved December 19, 2008.