The grounds of Los Alamitos Race Course have become the focal point of a distressing outbreak of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), resulting in the euthanization of seven horses, reports KTLA. The outbreak was initially identified on September 24, following which the California Horse Racing Board issued an advisory about the situation.
EIA, a disease with no known cure or treatment options, has forced the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to step in and oversee the implementation of biosecurity measures at the facility, which include euthanasia for the impacted animals. This viral affliction, often transmitted via biting insects such as horseflies, results in symptoms like fever, weight loss, and anemia, according to the KTLA.
Detailing the horses' fate, the Los Angeles Times informs that the seven euthanized horses, all Quarter Horses trained by Heath Taylor, were confined to one barn.
Among the afflicted was Bullet Train V, the first horse diagnosed with EIA, which subsequently led to the quarantine and testing of nine other horses within Taylor’s care. Six more came back with positive results for EIA on October 2 and 3 and, as such, were also euthanized, as per the California Horse Racing Board.
