Equine Strangles Confirmed In Pierce County

PIERCE COUNTY, WA - Not to be outdone by the measles outbreak in Southwest Washington, equine strangles has been confirmed in a half-dozen cases across the state. Two cases were reported in Pierce County, one of which is confirmed while the other is still being investigated.

One of the most commonly diagnosed, contagious diseases for horses, strangles is a bacterial infection of the upper airway and lymph nodes of a horse's head and neck, according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). As the name implies, strangles was dubbed as such because affected horses would sometimes suffocate when swollen lymph nodes blocked the animals' airways.

The Equine Disease Communication Center currently lists 10 cases of strangles in Washington, six of which have been confirmed in Pierce, Stevens, Snohomish, Thurston, Spokane, and Franklin counties. The first case appears to have been caught in late December 2018, while the most recent case was confirmed Jan. 18.

The first case confirmed in Pierce County was reportedly found in a 10-year-old Paint mare that initially showed signs of sickness Jan. 13. That horse is now recovering.

The second case, which has not yet been confirmed for strangles, affected a Quarter Horse mare that began showing signs Jan. 14. That horse is also recovering.

Vaccination is one of the most common defenses against strangles, though vaccination is not recommended during an outbreak.

For more information on how to diagnose, treat, and prevent strangles, visit aaep.org/horsehealth/understanding-equine-strangles. And to see the most up-to-date map of confirmed strangles cases across Washington, visit equinediseasecc.org.

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