The current equine infectious anemia (EIA) control program consists of 2 main components:
- Routine voluntary testing: Equine owners are strongly encouraged to have their animals tested for EIA when required by industry and when recommended by their veterinarian. Examples include pre-entry testing before attending a show, race or event and at points of sale. Equines also need to be tested for EIA before being moved out of the country. Testing is conducted by private veterinary practitioners and EIA private laboratories approved by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for that function.
- Disease response: The second component is the mandatory response by the CFIA when infected equines are identified.
When an infected equine is identified through testing, the CFIA implements disease control measures. Equines on the premises where the positive animal was detected must be tested and receive negative results before being allowed to move off the property. Equines in contact with the positive animal within 30 days of the sampling date are also tested. Equines that are positive for EIA are ordered destroyed and owners may qualify for compensation up to a maximum of $2000 per equine. Approved laboratories charge an additional $2 for each animal tested for EIA to offset the cost of the CFIA's mandatory response. While this amount may, in some years, cover the cost of compensation, it does not cover the CFIA's cost in terms of resourcing (staff) and operating cost. The CFIA's support is provided as a service to the industry.
Participation in the program is voluntary, and all elements of the program have been developed in cooperation with the industry. The program is based on internationally recognized disease control standards, current knowledge of the disease and diagnostic methods. Because there is no effective treatment for EIA and no vaccine to prevent it, the disease can only be successfully controlled by testing and the removal of infected equines. Voluntary surveillance testing by equine owners is an integral part of the CFIA's national EIA control program.
Consultation
- Closed - Proposed National Equine Infectious Anemia Disease Control Program [closed June 30, 2018]