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The Kansas Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health has confirmed two separate cases of reportable diseases in Kansas horses: Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in Sedgwick County and West Nile Virus (WNV) in Harper County.

In the EIA case, a horse tested positive in mid-July and later died from the disease. Additional horses at the same facility have also tested positive, prompting a quarantine and a 60-day observation period for those testing negative. EIA is untreatable and spread through blood, often via biting flies or unsterile equipment. KDA is conducting surveillance within a quarter-mile radius of the affected area.

The WNV case involved an unvaccinated horse that is currently recovering. WNV, spread by mosquitoes, can cause serious neurological symptoms and is preventable through annual vaccination. The disease is not contagious between horses or to humans, but owners are urged to reduce mosquito exposure and keep horses up to date on vaccinations.

Both diseases are reportable and require immediate notification to the KDA.