Equine Glanders Study Guide

Overview and Clinical Importance

Glanders (farcy) is a highly contagious and often fatal zoonotic disease caused by

Burkholderia mallei, a gram-negative, facultative intracellular bacterium. The disease primarily affects equids (horses, mules, and donkeys) and is notifiable to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

Although glanders has been eradicated from North America, Australia, and most of Europe, it remains endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. The disease is a significant concern for global equine movement and poses serious public health and bioterrorism risks.