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Further glanders info

 

Glanders

What is glanders?

Glanders is a zoonotic equine disease caused by Burkholderia mallei. It was eradicated in the UK in the 1920s but is still currently found in parts of Africa, Asia and the near East.

The acute form of the disease is most frequently seen in donkeys and mules, characterised by high fever, swollen nostrils, pneumonia and difficulty in breathing. Death occurs in a few days.

The chronic form is commonly seen in horses, characterised by formation of ulcers and nodules in the upper respiratory tract. The formation of abscesses in the lungs results in a progressive debility and eventual death of affected animals, although they may survive for several years. A cutaneous form of the infection can cause nodules and abscesses under the skin.

VLA's work on glanders includes:

  • providing surveillance services for the disease,
  • providing biological products which may be used in times of disease outbreak.