Virginia confirms strangles case in Loudoun County horse
A 4-year-old Morgan mare in Loudoun County, Virginia, tested positive for strangles on March 2 after developing fever, nasal discharge, cough, and lethargy on Feb. 25, according to an EDCC Health Watch report published by The Horse. The report said the mare’s signs began roughly two to three weeks after a new horse arrived from Georgia; that horse had previously shown respiratory signs that appeared resolved before transport. Eight horses on the farm were considered exposed. (thehorse.com)
Why it matters: For equine veterinarians, the case is a reminder that recently transported horses can still pose an infectious disease risk even when clinical signs seem to have cleared. AAEP guidance describes strangles as a highly contagious Streptococcus equi infection and recommends immediate isolation of horses with fever, nasal discharge, or lymph node enlargement, along with a three-week quarantine and temperature monitoring for new arrivals. Additional EDCC-linked reports underscore the same point: horses without obvious signs can still harbor and spread S. equi, recovered horses can remain contagious for at least six weeks, and spread can occur through direct contact or contaminated surfaces. PCR testing on a nasal swab, wash, or abscess sample is commonly used to confirm infection. Vaccination is considered risk-based rather than core, and available vaccines are not always effective, making exposure history, facility traffic, hygiene, and herd management key parts of prevention planning. (aaep.org; thehorse.com)
What to watch: Watch for any additional Virginia alerts tied to the exposed group, plus whether the case prompts tighter intake quarantine and biosecurity protocols at boarding and private equine facilities in the region. Recent EDCC-linked reporting has also flagged other regional activity, including a quarantined strangles case in a 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding at a boarding facility in Washington County, Maryland, and another quarantined strangles case at a boarding facility in Prince William County, Virginia. (equinediseasecc.org; thehorse.com)