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Baguio horses infected with swamp fever; 27 horses dead

Article (news)

Micaela Ilao

<p>BAGUIO CITY - An equine viral disease known as swamp fever has been detected in Baguio City, following the deaths of 27 horses in March-April.</p><p>The city veterinary office said 21 out of 58 horses in the city have tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) or swamp fever. </p><p>Swamp fever is incurable, according to Dr Brigitte Piok, the city&#x27;s veterinarian. It is caused by a virus that produces symptoms in horses such as weight loss, bleeding and swelling of the legs and chest. The virus can spread through the blood by horse flies. </p><p>A horse found to have the disease can only be quarantined or put down, Piok said. &quot;Hindi siya curable so kailangan talaga ang recommendation ng World Animal Health na i-isolate or mawala talaga yung kabayo or euthanized,&quot; she said. </p><p>The local government has released an executive order requiring the mandatory isolation of all sick horses in the city.<br/> <br/>Although EIA is not transmissible to humans, it is still a notifiable disease listed in the World Health Organization and must be reported to public health authorities due to health risks.</p><p>Two hundred and fifty horses in Wright Park mainly used for tourism and considered one of the main attractions in the city are being monitored. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1679759" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>An equine viral disease known as swamp fever has shown up in Baguio and horse owners are worried about its effects on their businesses. </p>

An equine viral disease known as swamp fever has shown up in Baguio and horse owners are worried about its effects on their businesses.