Seroprevalence for equine infectious anaemia in Equidae seized in the municipality of Petropolis, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2015/2018

Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) is a globally distributed disease caused by a lentivirus. EIA is a notifiable disease that should be reported to the Official Veterinary Service (SVO). Outbreaks are controlled by sacrificing the EIA-positive animals. The study analysed the prevalence of EIA in 165 Equidae seized on public roads in the municipality of Petropolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2015 to 2018. After the seizure and identification of the Equidae, blood was collected to diagnose EIA. A prevalence of 11.8% was observed among the Equidae seized, and the main risk factor was the region of seizure. A kernel-smoothed map showed areas with the highest density of EIA-positive Equidae in the centre and to the east of the study area. In this region, the chance of seizing an equine positive for EIA was greater (OR=3.6) relative to the remaining region. The implementation and maintenance of Equidae seizures and subsequent diagnostic testing for EIA in the municipality of Petropolis were shown to have great importance for the control and prevention of the disease. Indicating the place of seizure on the identification cards of the animals enabled delineation of the locations in the municipality of Petropolis, that had a higher risk of EIA-positive animals.