Glanders, the equine disease which has devastated Bahrain's equestrian community and appeared close to being eradicated has affected at least two horses from the Dilmun Stables in Saar. The horses have tested positive for bacterial infection and the results are awaited on the condition of a third pony following an inconclusive finding.
Glanders, once common throughout the world, is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Burkholderia mallei. Programs to eradicate the disease have been successful in many countries, including the United States.
Glanders causes respiratory infection and skin lesions in horses and humans. The disease is spread through close contact with other horses and by contaminated objects, such as brushes and tack. If glanders is suspected, contact a veterinarian immediately.
The movement to ban on horses across the island has been extended for another four months and the endurance horse riding competition planned as part of the GCC Games’ eleven disciplines was swiftly withdrawn from the Bahrain 11 program of events which have been reduced to 10.
While there are conflicting reports over the numbers of horses and ponies destroyed after testing positive to glanders, officials state that more than 70 horses have been euthanized since the outbreak began in early 2010.
Over the summer it appeared that the battle against glanders was being won, after three rounds of testing involving every horse and pony on the island came through as negative.
Experts say that testing in the immediate area will have to continue and the chances are that Bahrain will not be officially declared ‘glanders free’ for at least another 14 months because international authorities demand a six-month period of grace after all retests have returned negative ... provided no new cases are discovered in the meantime.
“There were no cases in donkeys. There were very few cases in camels, but they are all clear now.
“There has been a major financial implication because of the testing and a strict import-export regulation can only help avoid such a situation in future.”
Dr Wernery said the only way forward is to continue testing and re-testing horses in the affected stable and areas surrounding it. He said: “It is a complicated disease and the bacterium takes time to incubate and can remain dormant in an animal for up to eight months.
Dr Wernery reiterated that the disease is so contagious it can be passed simply on the soles of shoes and all stables should continue following strict rules of not sharing troughs and not moving horses between stables until the horses have tested negative twice.
He also said that adults and children are not in danger as long as they do not come in contact with any nasal discharge or the pus of an infected animal.