What is glanders and how was it used in warfare?
In the past, the germs that cause glanders, the bacteria called Burkholderia mallei, have been used as a biological weapon during war. It is possible that these germs could be used again in a biological attack. A biological attack is the intentional release of germs that can sicken or kill people, livestock, or crops.
Is Glander’s fatal?
Glanders is a highly contagious and often fatal zoonotic disease primarily of solipeds such as horses, mules, and donkeys.
What are glanders in horses?
Glanders is an infectious disease that is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei. While people can get the disease, glanders is primarily a disease affecting horses. It also affects donkeys and mules and can be naturally contracted by other mammals such as goats, dogs, and cats.
Is there a cure for glanders?
Since human cases of glanders are rare, there is limited information about antibiotic treatment in humans. Sulfadiazine has been found to be effective in experimental animals and in humans.
How do you prevent glanders?
Presently, there is no vaccine available for glanders. In countries where glanders is endemic in animals, prevention of the disease in humans involves identification and elimination of the infection in the animal population.
How do you get glanders?
Glanders is spread to humans by direct contact with infected animals. The bacteria enters the body through cuts or scrapes in the skin and through mucosal surfaces of the eyes and nose. Although very rare, glanders may additionally spread from one person to another through the bodily fluids of an infected person.
Can humans get farcy?
Glanders and farcy affect horses, donkeys, mules, and a variety of other animals. Humans can also be affected.
Are glanders contagious?
Glanders is a contagious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei. Infection can result in pus-forming lesions on the skin and respiratory infections.
What are the symptoms of glanders?
Symptoms of glanders commonly include:
- Fever with chills and sweating.
- Muscle aches.
- Chest pain.
- Muscle tightness.
- Headache.
- Nasal discharge.
- Light sensitivity (sometimes with excessive tearing of the eyes)
What does glanders look like?
Common symptoms of glanders include fever with chills and sweating, muscle aches, chest pain, muscle tightness, and headache. Additional symptoms may include excessive tearing of the eyes, light sensitivity, ulcers, and diarrhea (loose stool/poop). Symptoms can develop 1 to 5 days after infection.
How common are glanders?
Glanders is not normally found in the United States. No naturally-occurring cases of glanders have been reported in the United States since the 1940s. The disease still occurs in other parts of the world such as Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South America.
Where is glanders found?
Glanders is endemic in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Central and South America. It has been eradicated from North America, Australia, and most of Europe through surveillance and destruction of affected animals, and import restrictions.
