Re-emergence of Glander in Iran

Glanders, caused by infection with the bacterium Burkholderia mallei is a highly contagious and often fatal zoonotic disease of solipeds. It is an old disease, described as early as 400 BC by Hippocrates and 330 BC by AristotleIn the past, B. mallei was an important equine pathogen worldwide. Its spread was facilitated by the use and transport of horses, especially when animals were housed under crowded conditions (eg, during military campaigns). Naturally occurring glanders has been eradicated in most countries, but is still found in parts of Africa, the Middle East, South America, and Eastern Europe. From 1998 to 2007, focal outbreaks in Brazil, Turkey, the former USSR, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, and Mongolia were reported In Iran, sporadic cases of glanders is reported in solipeds. There were no new cases from 2003-2006 in Iran. Due to transported horses from west provinces in Iran, three cases were reported in 2007.