6 horses were euthanized due to a viral disease outbreak in Los Alamitos

LOS ALAMITOS, CA – Six horses were euthanized in Los Alamitos this week due to a viral outbreak of equine infectious anemia transmitted from a quarter horse euthanized in September, according to the California Horse Racing Board.

The original case involved a two-year-old colt named Bullet Train V that was euthanized on September 24 by order of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Biosecurity measures were put in place and nine additional horses were quarantined into a cohort group.

Tests revealed that six additional horses had EIA. Of the six horses, four horses were euthanized on Wednesday and the remaining two were euthanized on Thursday.

According to the Equine Disease Communication Center, EIA is a potentially fatal blood-borne infectious viral disease that causes persistent infection in equines nearly worldwide.

Transmission often occurs from horse to horse through large biting insects such as horse flies and deer flies. There is no known treatment or cure for EIA. Sick horses can be quarantined for the rest of their lives, but are usually euthanized.

The other three horses tested negative and will remain in quarantine until they are tested again in 60 days, the CHRB said.

City News Service contributed to this report.