Piroplasmosis
At the January 13, 2011 quarterly board meeting, members of the Indiana State Board of Animal Health voted to approve an emergency rule to require testing of horses for equine piroplasmosis before they can enter a premise where a Thoroughbred or quarter horse race meet is being held. BOAH board members voted to extend the emergency rule an additional 90 days at the April 14 quarterly board meeting. The second emergency rule will last through the end of August. At that time, the permanent rule regarding piroplasmosis testing should take effect.
The emergency rule is effective March 1, 2011.
Official Emergency Rule for Piroplasmosis Testing
The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University is testing for piroplasmosis. Veterinarians should complete Purdue ADDL's CF.369 Regular Submission Form for this test before sending the samples to Purdue ADDL.
Questions about the equine piroplasmosis testing requirement can be e-mailed to animalhealth@boah.in.gov.
Guidelines for Piroplasmosis Testing in Indiana
- Every equid entering the premises must be tested for equine piroplasmosis within 12 months prior. Testing must continue to be conducted at least once every 12 months thereafter, if the animal remains on the site. An equid must leave the premise if retesting is not completed after 12 months.
- The blood sample used for the piroplasmosis test can be drawn ONLY by a licensed and accredited veterinarian. Veterinarians must request a C-ELISA test to sample for both the Theileria equi and Babesia caballi strains of piroplamosis.
- Samples must be tested and the results must be reported by a laboratory certified and approved by the United States Department of Agriculture to conduct such testing.
- When equids enter a horse racing meet premises, each animal must be accompanied by an official copy of the laboratory test results that include the animal's identification, the date the sample was drawn, and the test results.
- Test results must indicate the animal is negative for piroplasmosis. Animals that test positive will not be allowed to enter, or they must leave the premise if already present.
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