Preventing equine disease
Last updated on August 16, 2022If you suspect that your animals are sick with any of the diseases here, contact your veterinarian or local CFIA animal health office immediately to assess your animals and submit samples to the Animal Health Centre.
Are you concerned about antibiotic resistance in your horses? Review this infographic by the Ontario Animal Health Network (OAHN) on what horse owners can do to play an important part in antimicrobial stewardship.
Contagious equine metritis
Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a transmissible venereal disease in horses, caused by a bacterium called Taylorella equigenitalis. CEM is highly contagious and can have a devastating effect on equine reproductive activity. This disease occurs naturally only in horses, and all breeds are susceptible.
In Canada, CEM is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations, and all cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Learn more at CFIA’s webpage.
Equine infectious anemia
Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an infectious and potentially fatal viral disease affecting the immune system of members of the Equidae family, including horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras. Most EIA-infected horses show no clinical signs of disease; however, they remain carriers of the virus for life and can be a source of infection for susceptible animals.
In Canada, EIA is listed as a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. Accordingly, when EIA is suspected, it must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Learn more at CFIA’s webpage.
Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy
Equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) caused by equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection can cause respiratory disease, abortion, neonatal foal death, and/or neurological disease in horses. EHV-1 does not pose a threat to public health or food safety.