Glanders
Disease Name : Glanders:
Species Affected: Equine, Feline, Canine and Caprine.
About the Disease:
Glanders or Farcy is an infectious disease that is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas mallei
and characterized by ulceration of the respiratory mucosa and an eruption of nodules on the skin.
It is usually a disease that affects horses and mules but can also infect other animals and humans.
The only reservoir of the disease is the horse. Chronic or subclinical form of infections is typical
in horses. The disease is usually spreads from an infected horse through coughing or sneezing on
a handler or from horse meat. Glanders is both contagious and infectious. It is an OIE Reportable
disease in the category 4. The disease is prevalent in most of the horse rearing countries;
however, the disease has not been reported from this country.
Animal Affected:
Horse, mule and donkey are highly susceptible. Healthy horse may acquire the infection from the
infected horse or from carrier animal. Cattle and pigs are absolutely resistant.
Cause:
Glanders is caused by a bacterium (Pseudomonas mallei). The organism show very less
resistance to the environmental influences. They are readily destroyed by direct sunlight and by
most of the commonly used disinfectant.
Symptoms:
Symptoms are determined by whether infection occurs through the skin or via the lungs or blood
stream. Bloodstream infections/systemic form of infections are the most severe and usually result
in death within weeks. Symptoms appear as per the organ targeted. Skin infection causes redness
and swelling in early stages which leads ulceration. Pulmonary infection may result in
pneumonia, pulmonary abscess leading to pulmonary effusion. The chronic form of disease may
show multiple abscesses in muscles of the extremities. General symptoms may include fever,
body aches, sweating, diarrhea and vomiting. There may be chronic nasal discharge one or both
nostrils. Formation of nodules and ulcers of the skin on lower limbs and abdomen are common
and the disease is also described as Farcy. Clinical signs are so characteristic and well defined to
arrive at a diagnosis.
Control and Management:
The following points should be followed for control and eradication of this disease.
1. Carcass should not be opened.
2. Carcass must be buried or incinerated.
3. Glanders is a notifiable disease under the Glanders and Farcy Act. As per the Glander or
Farcy Act, animal declared positive should be destroyed and safely disposed.
4. Use of Mallein test for screening of the disease and diagnosis, strict isolation and
adequate sanitation should be practiced in keeping horses.
5. Person come in close contact with the animal should be taken precaution likes wearing
gloves and masks while handling.
6. Premises should be vigorously disinfected.
7. Routine testing and euthanasia of positive animals can eradicate the disease.
Vaccines:
There is no vaccine available against the disease. The only method is to identify positive animals
and disposal after euthanasia of the infected animal.
Meteorological Occurrence:
Meteorological factors do not have much role on this disease, however, geographically; the
disease is endemic in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Central and South America.
Courtesy:Dr. Peter N
JRF, NADRS, Manipur.
Disease Investigatory Laboratory
Directorate of Veterinary, & A.H. Services,
Manipur