now EIA

["Becky Huffman" <tos@htcomp.net>]

I have been told that one reason the vaccine hasn't been used in the US is
that EIA mutates, like the flu, it would need a new, slightly modified
vaccine every year, and that means major, ongoing, research year after year
to stay current with it., not a one-time research project - then set up the
factory and pump out the vaccines.

does anyone know if this true??

North Texas has become a classified 'hotbed' for EIA over the last ten years
because many people don't take the testing seriously. NO ONE comes on my
property, not my best friend, not a casual acquaintance without a current,
negative coggins test, and I don't attend events where papers aren't
checked.  I know what the test means, and I know there is no 'failsafe', but
I will take all the precautions I reasonably can to shield my horses from a
deadly, incurable disease.

Becky Huffman, Cleburne, Texas
Huffman's Arabians ~ The Original Series ~
http://www.htcomp.net/Huffman/

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.  The Great Oz has spoken."
The Wizard of Oz


----- Original Message -----
From: ??? ???? <hwb67@msn.com>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2001 10:45 AM
Subject: RC: Re: now health certs


Subject: RC: now health certs
>Same thing with the coggins test... only proves that the day the blood was
>drawn the horse was negative.


There's a big debate over the Coggins Test and EIA (Equine Infectious
Enemia) going on in the Horse & Pony newspaper (distributed in Florida and
Georgia only) lately.  Most of the debate was started by Don Blazer from
Arizona, who has turned into an anti-Coggins activist.
One thing I've learned that I didn't know before is there's a vaccine for
EIA used in Japan.  It's not allowed in the United States, and after making
a few inquiries, this is what I've been told is the reason why.  The main
reason is that the vaccine will cause the horse to be positive when it's
tested for Coggins.  And the rumor is if that happens, the authorities have
no way of deciphering whether the horse is really a carrier or vaccinated.
This has got to be the most ridiculous reason not to protect and eradicate
EIA I have ever heard.  Talk about your Catch-22.  Have we made the Coggins
TEST so damn important that we won't use a vaccine to prevent EIA cause of
the damn test?
I'm still trying to learn more about this vaccine.  I'm hoping Heidi or
other vets online will talk about this one.  I dread getting that test every
year, and the talk about making it required every 6 months just sickens me.
Because of Coggins and Health Certificates, I have more paperwork on my
horses than I do on all my children, house, divorce proceedings, military
service records, all put together.  This is insane!

cya,
Howard (Kat, please research this one; no one does it better)