To date no other cases have been identified, indicating that the outbreak has thus far been confined.

Strangles is highly contagious, especially in young horses and can easily be transmitted on clothing, tack, feed buckets, etc.

THE DISEASE: Strangles is a highly infectious bacterial disease of horses caused by Streptococcus equi equi.  Horses develop signs of illness within three to four days of infection.  Initial symptoms include a high fever, lethargy and a loss of appetite.  Discharge from the nose then starts progressing from clear to a thick yellow exudate.  Swollen glands around the throat area occur which may burst producing thick yellow pus.   Up to a fifth of horses affected may go on to develop complications including pneumonia, airway obstruction and abscess in the intestinal tract ("bastard strangles").  Strangles CAN be FATAL, particularly in young horses!  Most horses recover fully from the disease but may require isolation and rest for a prolonged period.  Some will become carriers and continue to shed the bacteria.

Vaccination is available, an initial course requiring three injections at two week intervals followed by an annual booster. Vaccination against strangles, although useful, unfortunately does not confer total protection.