Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is a serious, incurable disease that affects horses, donkeys and mules. Horses that survive infection remain carriers for life, putting other animals at risk. A tiny amount of infected blood — just one-fifth of a teaspoon — can contain enough virus to infect 1 million horses.
In 1970, Dr. Leroy Coggins developed the first effective test for EIA antibodies. Since then, horse owners have been required to obtain a “Coggins test” when transporting animals across state lines or registering for shows and rodeos. Annual testing is also recommended. Horses that test positive must either be euthanized or quarantined for life in an insect-proof facility away from other equines—an option that is rarely feasible. Most horses that test positive are euthanized to protect the broader population.
By bringing the clinic to the community, OSU Extension helps eliminate access barriers and protect animal health across the region.
In the early 1980s, EIA was discovered in wild horses in the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs community. Hundreds of animals had to be euthanized, resulting in significant economic loss. Since then, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has continued efforts to monitor for the disease and ensure it has not returned to the community.
To support those efforts, Oregon State University Extension collaborates annually with USDA-APHIS and the Warm Springs Range and Agriculture Department to offer low-cost equine testing and vaccinations. Since joining OSU Extension as agriculture faculty serving Warm Springs, Scott Duggan has organized and facilitated an annual Coggins testing and vaccination clinic each May. The clinic is partially funded through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA).
Duggan promotes the event through a press release each spring, reminding tribal members of the importance of testing for EIA and vaccinating horses against other common diseases such as equine influenza, tetanus and sleeping sickness. Veterinary services are provided free of charge by USDA-APHIS veterinarians, and tribal members pay only for the cost of the Coggins test and vaccines. The clinic is held at the Warm Springs rodeo grounds, and if a member owns more than four horses, veterinarians will travel to their home or ranch.
The average cost of a Coggins test, including veterinary service, is about $125. Through this collaboration, tribal members pay only $10 per test. With an average of 30 horses tested each year, the program saves the community approximately $3,300 annually — or $6,600 over the past two years. In addition to reducing financial barriers, the clinic enables USDA-APHIS to monitor the local horse population for EIA.
Recognizing the broader need for affordable veterinary services, Duggan also organizes an annual low-cost cattle vaccination clinic in partnership with USDA-APHIS. Many ranchers in the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs community face challenges affording livestock care or transporting animals to Madras for service. By bringing the clinic to the community, OSU Extension helps eliminate access barriers and protect animal health across the region.
