Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler says that State Veterinarian David Marshall has quarantined the premises where horses that have been diagnosed with equine prioplasmosis reside. This disease is transmitted by either ticks or dirty needles, and NC historically is not a location for the species of tick that transmits the disease.
Horse owners across the state are encouraged to keep an eye out for signs of EP which can be depression, fever, anemia and jaundiced mucous membranes. EP can also cause horses to have rough coats, constipation and colic.
By law, all diagnosed cases of EP have to be reported to the state veterinarian as there is no cure, but is rarely fatal.
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