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Per USDA APHIS, what is now the most common way equine infectious anemia spreads in the US?

Reused needles and blood products, more than biting flies today.

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  1. Shared water troughs
  2. Reused needles, syringes or blood products ✔
  3. Airborne dust in barns

Why: Biting flies like horseflies were historically the main route. APHIS says human-caused spread, such as reused needles, syringes and blood transfusions, is now the most common way in the US. Never share needles between horses.

Huh, didn't know that: Infected animals that survive remain virus carriers and can infect other equids for life.

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References

Answer: Reused needles, syringes or blood products. Biting flies like horseflies were historically the main route. APHIS says human-caused spread, such as reused needles, syringes and blood transfusions, is now the most common way in the US. Never share needles between horses.

  1. Equine Infectious Anemia (USDA APHIS) www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/equine/infectious-anemia
    This type of human-facilitated transmission is now the most common way EIA spreads in the United States
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Equine Infectious Anemia (USDA APHIS) www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/equine/infectious-anemia
    Animals can also get the virus from unclean or re-used needles and syringes, blood transfusions,
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. Equine Infectious Anemia (USDA APHIS) www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/equine/infectious-anemia
    Biting, blood-feeding flies, such as horseflies or deerflies, can spread the virus from one animal to another.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  4. Equine Infectious Anemia (USDA APHIS) www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/equine/infectious-anemia
    Infected animals that survive the disease become virus carriers and can infect other equids for life.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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