Transmission of Equine Infectious Anemia Virus by Tabanus fuscicostatus

Joseph A. Hawkins, W. V. Adams, Ben Hur Wilson, C. J. Issel, E. E. Roth

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 1976 · 17 citations · 0 references

Concepts

Abstract

SUMMARY The mechanical transmission of equine infectious anemia ( eia ) virus by Tabanus fuscicostatus was investigated. In 1 of 7 transmission trials, a single horsefly transmitted eia virus from an acutely infected pony to a susceptible pony. Groups of horseflies isolated for 3, 10, or 30 minutes before refeeding transmitted eia virus, whereas those isolated for 4 or 24 hours did not. Data from field studies indicate that the home range or flight distance of horseflies may exceed 4 miles. That information together with our observations suggest that segregation of infected horses (usually defined as at least 200 yards from susceptible horses) as a control measure for eia may not be an adequate safeguard against transmission in areas where horseflies are numerous.