Horsemen, the following is  a directive of the New Mexico Livestock Board and the Racing Commission.  Please read carefully.  Call Dr. Fly at the Livestock Board with any questions.  505.841.6161

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