(Austin, Texas - Friday, October 4,  2024) - Several racehorses tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) this week at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie, and six were euthanized on Wednesday by a private veterinarian following confirmation by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC).

"To protect the safety of all racing participants, I have directed a quarantine of the impacted racehorses to their stabling area and had them removed from live race cards," said Amy F. Cook, executive director of the Texas Racing Commission. "We have implemented safety protocols in coordination with the Texas Animal Health Commission and will allow horses to join future race cards once they receive a negative test."

Texas Racing Commission regulators are working closely with TAHC personnel, Lone Star Park's corporate management, and impacted licensees of the agency to mitigate the likelihood of a broader outbreak and protect the horses participating in Lone Star Park's ongoing Quarter Horse meet.

Texas Racing Commission regulators are working closely with TAHC personnel, Lone Star Park's corporate management, and impacted licensees of the agency to mitigate the likelihood of a broader outbreak and protect the horses participating in Lone Star Park's ongoing Quarter Horse meet.

According to a TAHC fact sheet,  "Equine infectious anemia (EIA) is an incurable, infectious disease caused by a virus that affects members of the Equidae family, such as horses, ponies, zebras, mules, and donkeys. EIA is found widely throughout the world. There is no evidence that EIA is a threat to human health." This fact sheet is available for those who care for horses: Bio Security Guide: Keeping Your Horses Healthy.

"Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) officials confirmed equine infectious anemia (EIA) in six horses in Dallas County October 1, 2024," said a TAHC spokesperson. "TAHC staff are working closely with horse owners and other stakeholders to ensure TAHC requirements are met. This is an ongoing disease investigation, and potentially exposed horse owners have been notified and investigation protocols are underway."

The Texas Racing Commission has opened an investigation into the source of the infection.