Equine Piroplasmosis

About Equine Piroplasmosis:

• Itis a tick-borne protozoal disease of horses, mules, donkeys and zebra. 
• Transmission: Infected animals may remain carriers of these blood parasites for long periods and act as sources of infection for tick vectors. These parasites are also easily spread by blood contaminated instruments.
• It is endemic in tropical and temperate areas of the world with ticks capable of carrying the disease.
• Symptoms:
  • The clinical signs of equine piroplasmosis are often nonspecific, and the disease can easily be confused with other conditions.
  •  Piroplasmosis can occur in peracute, acute and chronic forms.
  • The acute cases are more common, and are characterised by fever that usually exceeds 40°C, reduced appetite and malaise, elevated respiratory and pulse rates, congestion of mucous membranes, and faecal balls that are smaller and drier than normal. 
• Treatment: There are no vaccines available.

Key facts about World Organisation for Animal Health

• It was founded in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), in May 2003 it adopted the common name World Organisation for Animal Health.
• It is an intergovernmental organization which focuses on transparently disseminating information on animal diseases, improving animal health globally and builds a safer, healthier and more sustainable world.
• It was founded as a response to a cattle plague called rinderpest, which swept across the globe, ravaging livestock and devastating livelihoods.
• Members: 183 Member countries. India is one of the member countries.
• Headquarter: Paris

Q1: What are Protozoa?

Protozoa are unicellular, eukaryotic, heterotrophic organisms and they either free-living or parasites. They possess “true,” or membrane-bound, nucleus.

News:Global Recognition for Indian Research : ICAR-NRC Equine in Hisar Haryana, Earns Prestigious WOAH Reference Laboratory Status

‹ ›