NEW MEXICO LIVESTOCK BOARD
Office of the State Veterinarian
300 San Mateo NE, Suite 1000
Albuquerque, NM 87108
(505) 841-6161
November 20, 2009
Equine Piroplasmosis
Equine Piroplasmosis is a blood parasite of horses which causes blood loss
anemia, debilitation, and death in some cases. Equine Piroplasmosis is primarily
transmitted by certain species of ticks. In addition mechanical vectors of the
disease such as biting insects, needles, tattoo instruments, contaminated serum
and blood products are capable of transmitting the disease. The current Texas
outbreak APPEARS TO BE TICK TRANSMITTED.
The previous recent outbreaks appear to have been iatrogenic and related to
transmission by way of mechanical means.
The United States has been considered free of Equine Piroplasmosis since the
early part of the 1980’s. The free status was reached after the expenditure of
well over 12 million dollars of State. Federal and industry dollars to eliminate
the parasite from Florida.
During the last two years, outbreaks have occurred in Florida, Missouri and
Kansas. These outbreaks have been traced to high risk horse racing on
non-sanctioned race tracks.
A sero-prevalence study recently conducted by USDA shows that a low level of
Equine Piroplasmosis does exist in the United States.
It appears that testing procedures and the test itself to clear horses for
import from Equine Piroplasmosis endemic countries has allowed infected horses
to enter the United States.
Currently, the state of Texas is experiencing an outbreak of Equine
Piroplasmosis. At this time, the outbreak is centered in Kleberg County Texas
but exposure and positive horses have been found in fourteen states and several
counties in Texas. The true extent of the outbreak is unknown at this time.
The state of New Mexico in consultation with the New Mexico Horse breeding
industry and the New Mexico Racing industry is implementing the following
procedures to protect and maintain the viability and reputation of the New
Mexico Racing and Breeding industry. New Mexico will strive to maintain an
Equine Piroplasmosis free status.
Horses considered high risk are:
» Texas horses from quarantined counties and those exposed to infected
horses.
» Horses exposed to unapproved medications containing equine serum or blood.
» Imported horses from countries with Equine Piroplasmosis.
Effective immediately: All horses entering New Mexico race tracks will be
required to have a negative Equine Piroplasmosis test conducted by the National
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Ames, Iowa.
Race Track Testing Schedule
Albuquerque Downs: November 23 & 24, 2009
Zia Park: Hobbs, December 2 & 3, 2009
Sunland Park: will start first week of December, 2009
PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOL
» Samples will be collected by practicing veterinarians.
» Samples will be presented to representatives of NMLB for processing.
» A fee of twenty dollars will be charged by the laboratory.
» Checks need to be made out to NM Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
» Test results should be received in seven to ten days.
» Horses will be allowed to enter the track on a test pending certification.
» Identification and verification of horse tested needs to be presented.
» Copies of Coggin’s forms, or registration papers are recommended.
Dave E. Fly, D.V.M.
State Veterinarian