By NewsDesk @bactiman63
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is reporting strangles on premises in two counties this week.
In Marion County, one premise was placed under quarantine on 2/10/2020. Four of the 20 horses on the premises are showing clinical signs of Strangles. Confirmatory test results are pending.
In Alachua County, two premises have been placed under quarantine. The cases are unrelated. One premise was quarantined on 2/4/2020 and has 4 clinical horses (confirmed). The other premises was quarantined on 2/13/2020 and has one clinical horse (confirmed). All horses are alive and being treated by a veterinarian.
The highly contagious upper respiratory disease of equids, known as Strangles, is caused by the gram-positive β-hemolytic bacterium Streptococcus equi ssp. equi.
Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube
The organism, Streptococcus equi ssp. equi, can be transmitted via direct contact with nasal or ocular secretions or lymph node discharge from infected horses or via indirect exposure to contaminated trailers, stalls, riding equipment, buckets, halters, lead ropes, brushes, clothing, etc.
Florida cow is country’s 6th BSE case
The incubation period typically ranges between two and six days but may last up to 14 days.
Classic symptoms may include fever (103 degrees F or higher), mucopurulent nasal discharge, lymphadenopathy (+/- abscessation), general malaise, pharyngitis, dysphagia, upper airway stridor and respiratory distress.
Clinical signs are often age-related, with older horses exhibiting milder symptoms of shorter duration.
