A warning to horse owners has been issued after rabid horse was reported in Perth Township south of Stratford, Ontario. A release from Huron Perth Public Health says that the horse, located in Blanshard Ward, is the third animal to have tested positive for rabies in the area (the first two were bats).
Rabies is nearly always fatal once symptoms are evident, usually causing death within a few days. It is likely the horse was in contact with a rabid wild animal such as a skunk, raccoon or fox; the disease is transferred via a bite or saliva transfer. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is working with the horse’s owner to closely monitor other animals on the premises who may have been in contact with the affected horse.
Public Health is advising area residents to make sure their pets’ rabies vaccinations are up-to-date.
On October 27, 2021, positive equine infectious anemia (EIA) results were confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for a horse located on a premises in Peace River, British Columbia. The horse had been tested by an accredited veterinarian at the owner’s request because it was exhibiting clinical signs compatible with EIA infection. The horse had attended pony chuckwagon events over the summer months. In addition, the owner had a horse that died unexpectedly in the summer of an unknown cause; it had not been tested for EIA.
A CFIA investigation is underway and movement controls have been placed on the infected horse several other equines on the affected premises. Improved biosecurity protocols have been strongly recommended to the owners to help control the ongoing spread of EIA.
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