The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is reporting a case of Strangles in a 10-year-old mare in a private facility in Polk County.
The horse presented with symptoms of nasal discharge and swollen lymph nodes in late January. Eight other horses were exposed.
This is the 6th confirmed case of strangles for Florida in 2021.
The highly contagious upper respiratory disease of equids, known as Strangles, is caused by the gram-positive β-hemolytic bacterium Streptococcus equi ssp. equi.
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.
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.
EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS REPORTED IN VOLUSIA COUNTY HORSE
