Print

Treatment

There is no treatment or vaccine available in the U.S. at this time for EIA, though most horses that survive the acute form of this disease may have flare-ups from the symptoms episodically. Interestingly enough, there have even been studies done relating the human HIV virus and EIA, as they are both retroviruses.

Living and Management

If a horse in the U.S. is diagnosed with EIA, there are three options mandated by the USDA. Since it is a reportable disease and there is no cure, the first and most common option is euthanasia. Secondly, the infected horse can be donated to a research facility. Thirdly, the owners can construct a completely enclosed barn covered in wire mesh that does not allow horseflies to enter and the horse is forbidden any contact with other horses. Due to the costs and limitations of the third option, and the limited number of labs that will accept EIA positive horses, most cases result in euthanasia.