The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence and risk factors associated with the identification of equine infectious anemia (EIA) in traction equines in the city of São Luiz - MA. We collected blood samples from 154 equines seized on public roads by the Sector of Animal Traction Seizure of the Municipal Urban Development and Housing Department between April and August of 2011. We analyzed the medical records to determine the individual risk factors associated with this disease. Of the animals tested, 5.20% (8/154) were positive. Among the risk factors evaluated, the presence of insects, permanence of the animals in agglomerations for longer than 8 hours per day, body condition, nutritional status, repeated use of the same needle among different equines, occurrence of febrile episodes, yellowish mucous and lack of knowledge on IEA showed to be statistically significant (P <0.05) associated with the IEA. The study results indicate that the occurrence of the IEA in traction equines in the City of São Luiz - MA was low. Still there is the necessity of systematic diagnosis and monitoring of animals, as well as employment of control measures, serological tests and implementation of current legislation.
asinine; horse; IDGA; Maranhão; mules