Glanders is a highly contagious and often fatal disease of horses, donkeys and mules. It is caused by the bacteria, Burkholderia mallei.
On this page
- Risk to human health
- Signs
- Where it is found
- Transmission and spread
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Protecting Canadian livestock from glanders
- Our response to an outbreak of glanders in Canada
Risk to human health
While spread of the disease from animals to humans is rare, glanders can be life-threatening to humans. There is no vaccine available. Humans working closely with infected horses (veterinarians, farriers, as well as laboratory workers) are at increased risk of contracting glanders. Successful treatment relies on early diagnosis.
Signs
Clinical signs in infected horses are often slow to appear and progress. Some cases start out with fever, nasal discharge and ulcers on the nose. Some horses may develop enlarged lymph nodes or a hard, ropey appearance under the skin. Coughing is often present, with some cases progressing to pneumonia. Some infections may last for months or years.
Donkeys often get sick very quickly. Nasal discharge and respiratory signs are common and death can occur within a few days in severe cases.
Where it is found
Glanders has been eliminated in North America, Australia, Japan and Europe. It is thought to be endemic in parts of the Middle East, Asia, Africa and South America.
Transmission and spread
Glanders is spread by exposure to discharge from the nose, eyes or ulcers of an infected horse. Fomites (tack, water buckets, grooming equipment) can also transmit the bacteria.
Strict biosecurity measures are important to prevent spread of the disease. More information can be found on our Animal Biosecurity web page.
Diagnosis
An owner or veterinarian may suspect glanders based on clinical signs, but the diagnosis can be confirmed only with laboratory testing.
Treatment
Treatment protocols for horses are still in the research phase and there is currently no vaccine.
Protecting Canadian livestock from glanders
We impose strict regulations on the import of animals and animal products from countries where glanders occurs. These regulations are enforced through port of entry inspections done either by the Canada Border Services Agency or us.
In Canada, glanders is an immediately notifiable disease under the Health of Animals Regulations. Laboratories are required to contact us regarding the suspicion or confirmation of this disease.
Our response to an outbreak of glanders in Canada
Canada's emergency response strategy to an outbreak of glanders would be to:
- eliminate the disease
- re-establish Canada's disease-free status as quickly as possible
In an effort to eliminate glanders, we may use some or all of the following disease control methods:
- humane euthanasia of all infected animals
- surveillance and tracing of potentially infected or exposed animals
- strict quarantine and animal movement controls to prevent spread
- strict cleaning and disinfection of infected premises
- zoning to define infected and disease-free areas
Owners whose animals are ordered to be euthanized may be eligible for compensation.