Viral Equine Disease with No Known Cure Back in Montana

For those that raise livestock under the Big Sky of Montana, keeping your herd healthy can be a challenge.  And as a person that grew up in that environment, I never realized how susceptible some animals are to disease.

via GIPHY

Especially when it came to horses.  Most of the time we worried about barbwire fence cuts or being taken on by a disgruntled bull.  But a disease with no known cure is back in Montana, and horse aficionados need to be on the lookout for it immediately.

Get our free mobile app

Viral Equine Disease with No Known Cure Back in Montana

The Montana Department of Livestock has announced that the viral disease Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) has been detected in a horse during a routine Coggins test for interstate travel.

READ MORE:  How to Check if Your Child's Backpack is Right for Them

The report is from Musselshell County in Montana, near Roundup and north of Billings.  The animal is now under quarantine and officials are trying to trace any possible exposure to other animals currently.  This is the first reported case in Montana since 2017.

What is EIA and Does it Effect Humans Who Have Come in Contact

EIA is a viral disease that effects the equine family including:

• Horses
• Donkeys
• Mules
• Ponies
• Zebras

There is no known threat to humans who have contact with an animal with EIA.

According to the Montana Department of Livestock, "It spreads through biting insects or contaminated equipment. Prevention relies on regular testing, especially when purchasing or moving animals."  To learn more about EIA, visit the USDA website here.