Glanders: Overview
for Health Care Providers
One page summary of: Organism, Infective dose, Occurrence, Natural reservoir,
Route of Infection, Risk Factors
Glanders:
Guidance for Health Care Providers
Key Medical and Public Health Interventions After Identification
of a Suspected Case
What is glanders?
Glanders is a disease caused by bacteria called Burkholderia mallei.
The disease affects mainly horses, donkeys and mules. However, glanders
may spread from infected animals to humans.
Who gets glanders?
Glanders is a rare disease in the U.S., but it still occurs in other
parts of the world such as Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Central
and South America. People who get glanders usually have worked with
animals that have the disease. Only one case has been reported in
the U.S. since the 1940s. In that case, the ill person had worked
with the bacteria in a research laboratory.
How is glanders spread?
Person-to-person spread of glanders is extremely rare. People who
get the disease usually have had close contact with an infected
animal. The bacteria usually enter the body through breaks in the
skin or through the eyes, nose or mouth.
Could Glanders be used for bioterrorism?
Yes. The glanders bacteria are considered possible bioterrorism
agents because they can be made into aerosols that are easy to spread
and, if breathed in, could cause severe disease.
What are the symptoms of glanders?
The bacteria can infect the skin or lungs or can spread throughout
the body. Symptoms of skin infection include rashes, bumps under
the skin, or open, draining wounds. Symptoms of lung infection include
cough, fever, shortness of breath or lung abscesses. When glanders
spreads throughout the body through the blood, symptoms include
fever, chills, muscle aches, chest pain, skin rash, diarrhea or
enlargement of the liver and/or spleen. Some people have symptoms
that come and go over a long period of time.
How soon after exposure do symptoms
appear?
Symptoms usually appear within 1 to 14 days after exposure.
How is glanders diagnosed and treated?
Glanders is diagnosed through special laboratory tests. Depending
on the type of glanders, samples may be taken from different parts
of the body. Glanders is treated with antibiotics. Healthcare providers
choose the antibiotic based on the patient’s symptoms and
the results of laboratory tests.
Is there a vaccine for glanders?
There is currently no vaccine for glanders.
Where can I get more information on
glanders?
More information about glanders is available on the Virginia Department
of Health website at
www.vdh.virginia.gov or through the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov.
