Horse: Equine Infectious Anemia vaccine to be developed

Published: June 19, 2007

Source : Horse Talk NZ

Mezey Howarth Racing Stables has announced that it is negotiating a contract with GeneThera to create a vaccine for Equine Infectious Anemia virus (EIA).

EIA is a horse disease caused by a retrovirus and transmitted by bloodsucking insects. Currently, the Coggins Test is used to test for EIA. The Coggins Test is a blood test that checks for EIA antibodies in a horse's blood.

"We would like to develop a test that can shorten the current 3 days for test results and to start developing a vaccine for the disease," said J. Wade Mezey.

"Although the risk of contracting the disease is low, most states require the testing to be done prior to transport into their state," said Paul Howarth, "but if we could create a vaccine for the disease it would eliminate the need for continued testing and could potentially save a multi-million dollar investment in a horse."

"The importance of accurate testing is essential considering that once a horse is infected with EIA, the virus quickly can spread to the entire stable," said Dr. Tony Milici of GeneThera.

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