A stray Mexican donkey seized within the US border has tested positive for the much-feared disease, glanders. Glanders is a life-threatening, notifiable zoonotic disease which can be fatal to both animals and humans. It is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei. Due to its high mortality rate and the small number of organisms
needed to establish infection, it is regarded as a potential biological
warfare or bioterrorism agent. It is highly infectious and can be transmitted by aerosol, causing
invasive fatal disease in combination with resistance to multiple
antibiotics. The only known reservoirs of B. mallei are single-hooved
animals, particularly horses. Chronically infected horses can be
asymptomatic but may remain highly infectious. Although glanders has been eradicated from many Western countries, it
recently emerged in Asia, the Middle-East, Africa, and South America.
Last September, researchers sounded a warning
that the global horse trade from at-risk regions had the potential to
re-establish the disease in countries that had previously eradicated it...more
Here is more from the Soutwest Farm Press:
It's a long and lonesome border that separates the United States and
Mexico, about 1,900 miles of largely desolate and arid land. Just over
1,250 miles of that international border separates Texas from Mexico, a
unique border frontier for nearly 200 years. While
illegal immigration and the movement of contraband catch the spotlight
when it comes to modern border issues, of equal or even greater risk is
the unavoidable movement of animal and plant diseases across the vast,
remote and poorly monitored region. Many of these diseases have been
contained or eradicated on the U.S. side of the border for decades but
continue to thrive in parts of the harsh, desolate northern regions of
Mexico. In spite of diligence and
strict monitoring of well-established border crossings to prevent the
introduction or re-introduction of these threats, some of them find
their way back across the border in spite of programs designed to keep
them out. While plant and animal inspection stations are operated by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture to help monitor and inspect all goods
that enter the United States, stray animals, often carrying diseases or
that serve as a host to parasites that carry diseases, cross undetected
at points where the Rio Grande River is shallow. Disappearing into the
rangeland or mingling with herds of animals in Texas, it is extremely
difficult to secure and protect an area that encompasses nearly 67,000
square miles of open range. As much as this happens with stray cattle and equine, it also involves
wildlife like deer, elk, bear, mountain lions, and such smaller animals
as raccoon and coyotes. Some of these animals carry diseases, some of
which represent a major threat to wildlife and livestock in Texas. Once
an animal crosses the river, fleas, ticks, flies and pathogens can be
transferred to soil, water or other animals. Recently a team of tick riders stumbled upon stray Mexican donkeys that
had found their way across the river. The Texas Animal Health Commission
(TAHC) reports a USDA mounted quarantine enforcement inspector
apprehended the five Mexican donkeys just north of Presidio. The animals
were transported to USDA-Presidio holding pens where they were
isolated. One of the five donkeys subsequently tested positive for Glanders, a
highly contagious, bacterial disease of the equine family. It is
characterized by the development of ulcerating growths most commonly
found in the upper respiratory tract, lungs, and skin. Infections are
usually fatal. Humans and other animals are also susceptible. The disease is commonly contracted by consuming food or water
contaminated by the nasal discharge of carrier animals. The organism can
survive in a contaminated area for more than one year, particularly
under humid, wet conditions. No
vaccine is available for Glanders and prevention and control depend on
early detection, elimination of affected animals, and complete
quarantine. Glanders was once
prevalent worldwide, but has been eradicated or effectively controlled
in many countries, including the United States. The last naturally
occurring equine case in the U.S. was in 1942...
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