Import risk analysis: Llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Vicugna ...

27.3. RISK MANAGEMENT
27.3.1. Options
The following points were considered when drafting options for the effective management
of M. haemolamae:
� The organism is a commonly transmitted chronic infection of camelids and the only
risk management measure that has applied to date is absence of diagnosis on the
premises over the previous 3 months.
� Infection results in few cases of serious disease.
� Long-term carriers occur. Therefore quarantine will not be effective to prevent
entry of the disease.
� There are no vaccines for the disease.
� Treatment with tetracyclines is helpful in clinical cases but is unlikely to result in
elimination of the organism from carriers.
� There is no Code chapter relating to Mycoplasma haemolamae.
One or a combination of the following measures could be considered in order to effectively
manage the risks.
� Since the organism causes a minor disease and is likely to be present in New
Zealand already, camelids could be imported provided they meet the commodity
definition and are free from ectoparasites.
N.B. This recognises that a large number of camelids have been imported in the past with
no measures in place to detect subclinical infections.
� Camelids could be certified as not having resided in the past 3 months on any
property where M. haemolamae has been diagnosed.
N.B. This measure reflects the current requirement for alpacas and llamas imported from
the USA.
� Animals to be imported could be kept free from external parasites for 30 days
before shipment and tested by microscopic examination of a blood smear within
10 days of shipment with negative results.
N.B. This screening method lacks sensitivity because mycoplasmas quickly detach from
erythrocytes once blood is taken and bacteraemia is generally low and intermittent.
� Animals to be imported could be maintained free from external parasites for the
30 days before shipment and tested using a PCR test within 10 days of shipment,
with negative results.
102 ● Import risk analysis: Llamas and alpacas from specified countries MAF Biosecurity New Zealand