According to the Equine Disease Communication Center and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a private facility in Lake County in Florida is under official quarantine as of June 14 due a horse testing positive for strangles.

Only the animals under quarantine have additional travel restrictions. The horse under quarantine is not allowed to leave the premises.

One Quarter Horse mare had an onset of clinical signs of a draining abscess on June 6. There are 13 other horses at the facility that have been exposed.

This is the 29^th confirmed cases of strangles in Florida in 2024.

The incubation period is between three to 14 days according to the EDCC.

Also known as Strep Equi, Strangles is a highly infectious bacterial infection that is spread from horse to horse through direct contact and by coming into contact with a contaminated surface. It is common and most horses are exposed and/or infected at a young age.

For more information about strangles click here.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis Confirmed in Highlands County

According to the Equine Disease Communication Center and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a new case of Eastern Equine Encephalitis was confirmed at a private facility in Highlands County, Fla., on June 14. However, no quarantine has been issued.

Only the animals under quarantine have additional travel restrictions. The horse under quarantine is not allowed to leave the premises.

One 10-year-old stallion at a private facility in Higlands County was confirmed with EEE after showing cerebral signs of depression, elevated temperature, incoordination and aimless wandering. The unvaccinated stallion is affected and alive.

This is the 11^th confirmed case of EEE in Florida in 2024.

According to the Equine Disease Communication Center, eastern equine encephalitis is a vector borne disease. This virus is transmitted by mosquitoes or other biting insects. Birds act as reservoirs for the virus; mosquitoes and other biting insects then carry the pathogen from infected birds and transmit it to horses when they bite. A horse affected with EEE is not contagious and poses no risk to other horses, humans or birds.

The disease is severe with a mortality rate of 75% – 95% and the onset of neurologic disease is frequently sudden and progressive.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your veterinarian or click here.

Return to the June 15 issue of Wire to Wire