According to Bahrain’s Daily News, no new cases of glanders have been reported for two months, since two horses were put down after testing positive last November, according to Ministry livestock director, Abdulrahman Shawqi Al Mannaie
This means the ban may end in March if no new cases arise in which case the ban would have to be extended.
“According to normal procedure dictated by the European Union, if any case is detected from now on, the ban has to be extended for another six months until the country is clear of the disease,” said Al Mannaie. “No cases have been discovered, but to be on the safe side we must continue to be strict. Now people are aware of the problem and co-operating with us.”
Mr Al Mannaie said legal action would be taken against any horse owner who refuses to co-operate.
The affected stables are in the north of the country, as the disease originally broke out in Shakhura and Saar. Local shows and competitions have been cancelled since the ban was imposed and horses will have to remain in their stables until the country is given the all-clear.
Horse owners are asked to keep horses in the stables, refrain from visiting other stables and touching other horses. The use of disinfectants is imperative to clean stable entrances, individual boxes and human hands and shoes.
More than 70 animals have been destroyed since glanders was first detected in April 2010. Bahrain had earlier been free of glanders for six months, government officials said last June, before the last cases were discovered in November.
The ban on the exportation of horses from Bahrain will only be lifted once consent has been granted by the EU. The rule state a country must be completely free from glanders for a minimum of six months and must have evidence to prove it before it can be given the all-clear.
Symptoms of glanders include formation of nodular lesions in the lungs and ulceration of the mucous membranes in the upper respiratory tract. The acute form results in coughing, fever and a highly infectious nasal discharge. Death can occur within weeks, while survivors act as carriers and euthanasia is the only option.