Isolation of sick horses mandated

BAGUIO CITY – (05 May 2021) – Horses, considered as one of the tourist attractions at the Wright Park and Camp John Hay trails have been tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and bacterial infections.

This was reported by the City Veterinary and Agriculture Office (CVAO) as it conducted an investigation on the death of 27 horses at Wright Park, since March last year.

From the laboratory examination, 21 out 158 horses tested positive for EIA, while four had bacterial infections. It was then recommended that infected animals be euthanized or permanently isolated at a distance of 200 to 500 meters away from other horses.

Relative to this, Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued Executive order No. 56 series of 2021, requiring the mandatory isolation of all sick horses in Baguio City.

Although EIA is not transmissible to human, it is incurable and could be transferred easily to other horses through biting flies. It is a notifiable disease listed in the World Health Organization and must be reported to public health authorities due to health risks, the EO stated.

Complete recovery from the infection shall only be certified by the CVAO. 

It was reported that Wright Park has 250 horses, mainly used for horseback riding, both by locals and tourists. – Julie G. Fianza