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THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh : Jeff McIntosh
Horse disease

Meadow Lake-area farm placed under quarantine

Feb 28, 2019 | 1:59 PM

A fatal disease affecting horses has been discovered on a farm in the Meadow Lake area.

A total of five horses have tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). An investigation by the Canadian Food Inspectioin Agency (CFIA) found the farm had connections to a previously identified case earlier this month in Red Deer, Alberta.

All of the infected animals on the property in the Meadow Lake area have the same owner, but one animal currently resides on separate premises.

As per the CFIA’s program policy, a quarantine has been placed on the infected animals. The quarantine will remain in place until all disease response activities have been completed, including follow-up testing and ordering the destruction of positive cases. Trace-out activities may require the CFIA to undertake actions at additional premises as outlined in the current policy.

There is no risk to human health, the CFIA said. Symptoms of EIA include but are not limited to anorexia, depression, general weakness, fever and jaundice.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

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