Michigan has an updated equine infectious anemia law

Karen Waite<kwaite@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Coggins test now required for all horses entering the state or being shown at fairs or exhibitions

H.B. 4567, sponsored by Michigan state Rep. Pat Somerville, reinstates the Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) testing requirements, which expired at the end of 2010. EIA, also known as swamp fever, is an infectious virus in horses, for which there is no effective or safe vaccine. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed the law into effect on July 20, 2011, and it is now P.A. 121.

In accordance with the law, all equine six months and older that are entering the state and/or participating in  “exhibitions, expositions or fairs” must have an official equine infectious anemia test form that shows a negative result. The test, commonly known as a Coggins test, must have been completed within the previous 12 months.

A negative test form within the previous 12 months is also required for changes in ownership or animal location. Tests are not required for animals six months old or younger and nursing.

For complete verbiage of the law, including ramifications of a positive test, read P.A. 121.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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