Horses in northern Saskatchewan continue to be infected with equine infectious anemia, despite efforts to control the deadly disease.
Three horses tested positive for the disease in August, bringing the total to 60 positive cases of equine infectious anemia in northern Saskatchewan this year.
Eighty-nine horses tested positive for the disease in the province last year.
There is no cure or vaccination. Horses that test positive must be destroyed or be in lifetime quarantine.
Equine Infectious anemia is a reportable disease. There is no risk to humans.
The disease is mainly spread through the transfer of contaminated blood from one animal to another. Horse flies, stable flies and deer flies help spread the disease. It is also spread through syringe needles.
Earlier this year, Saskatchewan’s Northwest Pony Chuckwagon and Chariot Association implemented a mandatory Coggins testing program before horses can race in an effort to halt spread of the disease.
Three horses tested positive in Alberta’s Yellowhead County area in February.
