Articles: Press Release
Equine Piroplasmosis Disease Investigation Continues
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242,
ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
Canada and a number of U.S. states have imposed movement restrictions or
additional entry requirements for horses from Texas after equine
piroplasmosis, a tick-transmitted blood disease of equine animals, such as
horses, donkeys, mules and zebras, was detected in South Texas in
mid-October. Equine piroplasmosis may be carried and transmitted by as many
as 15 species of ticks. Although ticks have been collected from the South
Texas ranch for testing, final results are not complete, and it is not known
whether any of the ticks can serve as a host for the disease.
Before moving horses from Texas, we urge you and your veterinarian to check
with animal health officials for any state of destination, to ensure the
animals have met all entry requirements, said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas state
veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the
states livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. Regulatory
requirements can be fluid as disease situations evolve, so it is essential
to call each state each time you haul. As states provide entry restrictions
and requirements, the documents are posted on the TAHC web site at
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us. Dr. Hillman urged equine owners and
veterinarians to call state animal health officials directly before hauling,
as many states have not yet distributed entry requirement
information. Contact information for state veterinarians may be obtained
from the TAHC at
800-550-8242, ext. 710, or by emailing ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us.
We are continuing the equine piroplasmosis disease investigation initiated
in October in South Texas. No horse movement is being allowed from or to the
ranch where the infection was detected, said Dr. Hillman. While this
tick-borne disease has not been considered endemic in the U.S., cases of the
disease, scientifically known as Theileria equi, and previously called
Babesia equi, have been detected in the U.S. Our epidemiologists are
tracing the movement of specific equine animals. Blood tests will be
conducted, and the animals will be examined for ticks. Individual equine
owners will be contacted, if their horse needs to be tested by animal health
officials.
Dr. Hillman refrained from speculating on how many equine animals will be
tested or how many may be exposed or infected. Until the epidemiological
work and testing of potentially exposed horses is completed, there is no way
to predict how many horses may be affected with this tick-borne illness, he
said.
Dr. Hillman said horses infected with equine piroplasmosis may appear well,
while others may exhibit a host of non-specific clinical signs, such as
fever or anemia. These clinical signs also could be attributed to a variety
of other diseases or causes. Blood tests are needed to diagnosis the
disease.
Equine owners should talk with their private veterinary practitioners about
complying with interstate movement requirements, testing recommendations and
protecting their horses from ticks. If a horse appears to be ill, it should
be evaluated by an accredited private veterinary practitioner, said
Dr. Hillman.
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