California reports two more equine infectious anemia cases

Two California horses have tested positive for equine infectious anemia, or EIA, in San Joaquin and Fresno counties, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and an EDCC Health Watch item republished by The Horse. The San Joaquin case, a 3-year-old Quarter Horse gelding confirmed April 9, 2026, was quarantined on premises and had recently trained at the same location tied to the current Stanislaus County EIA incident. The Fresno case, a 4-year-old Appendix Quarter Horse gelding also confirmed April 9, was euthanized on March 27, 2026, after worsening clinical signs; three exposed horses on the home premises initially tested negative and remain under quarantine pending 60-day retesting. (cdfa.ca.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinarians, these cases add to a notable run of California EIA detections in 2026 and reinforce the state’s concern about iatrogenic spread. CDFA says most California EIA cases are linked to iatrogenic transmission and are often identified in the Quarter Horse racing population, while USDA notes EIA is an untreatable, lifelong, blood-borne infection controlled through testing, quarantine, euthanasia or permanent isolation, and strict hygiene around needles, syringes, IV equipment, and blood-contaminated instruments. California also requires horses entering the state to have a negative EIA test within 12 months. (cdfa.ca.gov)

What to watch: Watch for results of the Fresno premises’ 60-day retests, any additional epidemiologic links to the Stanislaus cluster, and whether CDFA reports more California cases in the coming weeks. (cdfa.ca.gov)