Equine Piroplasmosis Disease Conditions Prevention Information

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•   SpanishHorses.com - Equine Piroplasmosis
The greatest risk for introduction of this disease into Canada or other non-endemic areas is through trading of animals or international equestrian sports, where infected and non-infected animals are in contact. Many disease free countries have the climate suitable for a foreign tick vector, or have ticks which could act as vectors.

•   USDA-APHIS-VS - Piroplasmosis
Equine Piroplasmosis is present in South and Center America, the Caribbean (including Puerto Rico), Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern and Southern Europe. Only the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, England and Ireland are not considered to be endemic areas.

•   Foreign Animal Disease Page - Equine Piroplasmosis
Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a disease of Equidae caused by protozoan parasites which invade the red blood cells, causing their destruction. Two species or protozoa, Babesia equi and Babesia caballi, are present in 90% of the world inhabited by horses. Only Canada, USA, Australia, Japan, England and Ireland are not considered to be endemic areas.

•   Conference on Equine Infectious Diseases - Piroplasmosis
Speaking at the Eighth International Conference on Equine Infectious Diseases, D. Knowles, Jr. said that Equine babesiosis, caused by either of the 2 distinct protozoan parasites, Babesia equi or Babesia caballi, continues to have significant impact on the international movement of horses.

•   Equine Babesiosis (Piroplasmosis)
Equine Babesiosis (piroplasmosis), a disease of equids in many regions of the world, is caused by the tick-borne hemoprotozoans Babesia equi and Babesia caballi. The central concern is the risk and consequences of entry of these parasites through international movement of horses into the USA, where equine piroplasmosis is limited to Florida.

•   Equine Piroplasmosis - An Exotic Threat
Horses with disease may show mild non-specific signs such as depression and lack of appetite, while in severe disease there is elevated temperature and horses become anaemic due to destruction of the red blood cells. One of the problems is that horses can carry the parasite for many years without showing signs of the disease.