Mass testing of horses in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — The city government will conduct mass testing of horses amid a spike in Equine Infectious Anemia or swamp fever.

City veterinarian Brigit Pio said the veterinary and agriculture office would conduct the testing in Wright Park in Barangay Pacdal, a famous site for horseback riding, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Regional Animal Diagnostic Laboratory.

Twenty-one horses had earlier tested positive for swamp fever.  Six died while 15 are in isolation.

Swamp fever is a retroviral disease, which may be characterized by acute and chronic fever, anemia, edema and cachexia in some animals. Horses manifest mild symptoms on first exposure.

Piok said the disease could spread among the horses through mosquito bites.