Detection of a horse positive for piroplasmosis caused significant concern at a Victoria, Australia, Quarantine facility in March. The situation made officials thankful that quarantine surveillance methods were already in place—plans which arose from concerns about seropositive horses which are to compete in the Sydney Olympics this September (see Up Front, March 2000, p. 12).

Piroplasmosis is a blood-borne disease caused by a one-celled protozoan parasite, either Babesia equi or Babesia caballi. The disease primarily is transmitted by ticks, and although it is endemic in many areas of the world, Australia is free of the disease.

The horse was imported March 7, and certification indicated that the horse met all import conditions. The horse had been tested positive for piroplasmosis prior to export, but by error was authorized to travel to Australia. The horse had spent time in South Africa prior to his export from Hong Kong.

“The (positive) horse was a retired racehorse gelding owned by a person in Hong Kong,” explained Patricia Ellis, MVSc, who is Principal Veterinary Officer of Horse Industry Programs in Victoria. “The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service gave the owner of the horse the option of re-export or euthanasia when the blood test results were known. The owner elected not to re-export the horse and the horse was ineligible to return to Hong Kong