2 wild Summit horses test positive for type of anemia

Two wild horses in remote Ouray, Summit County, have tested positive for equine infectious anemia (EIA), federal and state officials said.

Although there is no harm to humans, the chronic condition causes anemia, fever, weight loss and even death in horses.

EIA is a contagious disease transmitted by biting insects. The infected horses, captured in a routine roundup of horses and burros by the Bureau of Land Management, were euthanized Aug. 5. The remaining 13 in the group have been quarantined for a minimum of 60 days, until testing proves there are no signs of the virus.

Because the location of the animals was so remote (about 55 miles southeast of Vernal), BLM officials and state animal health officials say there is no immediate reason to believe that the virus could spread.

"Typically, the chances for another animal to contract the disease is very small unless they are within close proximity of an infected animal," said Utah State Veterinarian Michael Marshall in a press release.

Animals that survive become carriers of the disease. There is no cure. Before offering wild horses and burros for adoption, BLM tests the animals. The routine check in this particular area was conducted because the horses were outside the boundaries of the BLM designated Hill Creek wild horse herd management area.