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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2017; 58(12); 1294-1300;

A retrospective study of owner-requested testing as surveillance for equine infectious anemia in Canada (2009-2012).

Abstract: This retrospective study was undertaken to estimate i) the surveillance coverage for equine infectious anemia (EIA) based on owner-requested testing, and ii) the incidence of case detection from this surveillance activity to inform a review of Canada's national disease control strategy. Based on sample submissions by accredited veterinarians to laboratories CFIA-approved for EIA testing between 2009 and 2012, the estimated national surveillance coverage was 14% for all years, and 72 cases of EIA were detected. The annual national incidence of EIA detection ranged from 0.03 to 0.08 cases/1000 horses. On average, a greater proportion of the horse population was tested in eastern Canada (32%) than in western Canada (6%, < 0.0001). The cumulative incidence of EIA detection was higher in western Canada (0.25 cases/1000 horses) than in eastern Canada (0.02 cases/1000 horses, < 0.0001). This study identified regional differences in owner-requested EIA testing and case detection resulting from this testing activity. Cette étude rétrospective a été entreprise afin d’estimer i) la couverture de surveillance pour l’anémie infectieuse équine (AIE) basée sur les tests demandés par les propriétaires et ii) l’incidence de détection des cas à partir de cette activité de surveillance pour documenter un examen de la stratégie nationale de contrôle des maladies du Canada. L’estimation de la couverture nationale de surveillance, basée sur les soumissions d’échantillons par les vétérinaires autorisés aux laboratoires approuvés par l’ACIA pour l’AIE entre 2009 et 2012, était de 14 % pour toutes les années et 72 cas d’AIE ont été détectés. L’incidence nationale annuelle de la détection de l’AIE variait de 0,03 à 0,08 cas/1000 chevaux. En moyenne, une proportion supérieure de la population équine de l’Est du Canada (32 %) subissait des tests par rapport à l’Ouest canadien (6 %, < 0,0001). L’incidence cumulative de la détection de l’AIE était supérieure dans l’Ouest canadien (0,25 cas/1000 chevaux) par rapport à l’Est du Canada (0,02 cas/1000 chevaux, < 0,0001). Cette étude a identifié des différences régionales pour les tests de l’AIE demandés par les propriétaires et la détection des cas découlant de cette activité d’épreuve diagnostique.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).
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Publication Date: 2017-12-06 PubMed ID: 29203939PubMed Central: PMC5680731
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research article presents a study which aimed to evaluate the coverage and efficiency of equine infectious anemia (EIA) surveillance based on tests requested by horse owners in Canada from 2009-2012. The findings reveal regional differences in testing and EIA detection rates.

Research Context

  • This study is a retrospective review, meaning the researchers used data collected in the past, in this case between 2009 and 2012.
  • The focus of the study was to evaluate how effective the owner-requested testing for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in horses was throughout Canada.
  • EIA is a viral disease affecting horses, transmitted by blood-sucking insects. It is considered a reportable disease in Canada meaning cases must be declared to the authorities.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers examined sample submissions sent by accredited veterinarians to Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) approved laboratories for EIA testing.
  • These samples were collated and analyzed to provide an estimate of national surveillance coverage. Surveillance coverage refers to the proportion of the total horse population being tested for EIA.

Key Findings

  • The estimated national EIA surveillance coverage was 14%.
  • Using this surveillance approach, 72 cases of EIA were detected during the study period.
  • The incidence of EIA detection was between 0.03 to 0.08 cases per 1,000 horses annually across Canada.
  • EIA testing was higher in eastern Canada (32% of the horse population) compared to western Canada (6% of the horse population).
  • Despite the lower testing rate, a higher incidence of EIA detection was observed in western Canada (0.25 cases/1000 horses) compared to eastern Canada (0.02 cases/1000 horses).

Implications of the Study

  • This research reveals regional differences in owner-requested EIA testing and case detection in Canada.
  • The findings can be used to inform a review of Canada’s national disease control strategy, focusing on discrepancies in regional testing rates.
  • In regions with lower testing rates but higher incidence rates, such as western Canada, strategies may need to be enhanced to improve surveillance and control of EIA.

Cite This Article

APA
Higgins SN, Howden KJ, James CR, Epp T, Lohmann KL. (2017). A retrospective study of owner-requested testing as surveillance for equine infectious anemia in Canada (2009-2012). Can Vet J, 58(12), 1294-1300.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 58
Issue: 12
Pages: 1294-1300

Researcher Affiliations

Higgins, Sara N
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada (Lohmann, Epp, Higgins); Terrestrial Animal Health Epidemiology & Surveillance Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 8403 Coronet Road, NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 4N7, Canada (Howden); Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9, Canada (James).
Howden, Krista J
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada (Lohmann, Epp, Higgins); Terrestrial Animal Health Epidemiology & Surveillance Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 8403 Coronet Road, NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 4N7, Canada (Howden); Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9, Canada (James).
James, Carolyn R
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada (Lohmann, Epp, Higgins); Terrestrial Animal Health Epidemiology & Surveillance Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 8403 Coronet Road, NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 4N7, Canada (Howden); Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9, Canada (James).
Epp, Tasha
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada (Lohmann, Epp, Higgins); Terrestrial Animal Health Epidemiology & Surveillance Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 8403 Coronet Road, NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 4N7, Canada (Howden); Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9, Canada (James).
Lohmann, Katharina L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4, Canada (Lohmann, Epp, Higgins); Terrestrial Animal Health Epidemiology & Surveillance Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 8403 Coronet Road, NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 4N7, Canada (Howden); Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 59 Camelot Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9, Canada (James).

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Equine Infectious Anemia / diagnosis
  • Equine Infectious Anemia / epidemiology
  • Equine Infectious Anemia / prevention & control
  • Horses
  • Incidence
  • Population Surveillance
  • Retrospective Studies

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. Lohmann KL, James CR, Higgins SN, Howden KJ, Epp T. Disease investigations for equine infectious anemia in Canada (2009-2012) - Retrospective evaluation and risk factor analysis. Can Vet J 2019 Nov;60(11):1199-1206.
    pubmed: 31692681
  2. Firdausy LW, Fikri F, Wicaksono AP, Çalışkan H, Purnama MTE. Global prevalence and risk factors of equine infectious anemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Vet World 2025 Jun;18(6):1440-1451.
    doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.1440-1451pubmed: 40689174google scholar: lookup
  3. Carvelli A, Nardini R, Carnio A, Ricci I, Rosone F, Sala M, Simeoni S, Maccarone D, Scicluna MT. Equine Infectious Anaemia: The Active Surveillance of an Entire Equid Population Reduces the Occurrence of the Infection. Transbound Emerg Dis 2024;2024:3439871.
    doi: 10.1155/2024/3439871pubmed: 40303092google scholar: lookup
  4. Levasseur A, Paré J, Aubry P, Iwasawa S, Leung D, Arsenault J. Stochastic modeling of the horse population and vaccination data indicates low annual vaccination coverage for West Nile virus in Canada (2016-2020). Can J Vet Res 2025 Apr;89(2):54-63.
    pubmed: 40170915
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