The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) recently enacted a new regulation that requires equids to have had a negative blood test for equine infectious anemia (EIA) within the previous 12 months if the animals are kept within 200 yards of equids owned by another individual. The change was in response to citizen petitions.

Linda Logan, DVM, Texas’ state veterinarian and TAHC executive director, said, “Concerned owners approached the TAHC commissioners several months ago with a petition asking for this new regulation. Because many horse owners in Texas have small plots of land, they wanted to be assured that their animals would not be near potentially infected equids.”

Current Texas law requires equids to be test-negative for EIA within the previous 12 months if they are transported to places where horses gather, such as fairs, horse shows, exhibitions, rodeos, or trail rides. The 12-month rule also applies to horses which are being sold or entering the state.

Equine infectious anemia is a viral disease that attacks the horse’s immune system. The Coggins test is the most commonly used means of detecting EIA. The virus is transmitted by the exchange of body fluids from an infected to a non-infected animal, often by biting flies. Once an animal is infected with EIA, it is infected for life and can be a reservoir for the spread of disease. Texas horses which test positive for EIA are permanently identified with a “74A” brand on their left shoulder. These horses must be euthanized, sold to slaughter, donated to an approved research facility, or remain quarantined for life at least 200 yards from other horses