The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) reported confirmed and suspected cases of equine strangles in Kent and Oakland Counties.

In Kent County, the MDARD reported two confirmed cases and four suspect cases on one premises. The first confirmed case was in a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. He had onset of clinical signs on March 28 that included nasal discharge and fever. He was confirmed positive on May 11. The second confirmed case was in a 4-year-old Thoroughbred mare. She had onset of clinical signs on April 29 that included nasal discharge and enlarged submandibular lymph nodes. She was confirmed positive on May 11. Both horses are recovering

In Oakland County, the MDARD reported two confirmed cases of equine strangles on one property, one confirmed in May and one confirmed in January. Both were aged Tennessee Walking Horse geldings. The most recent case was in a 29-year-old gelding that had nasal discharge and was confirmed on May 10. The earlier case on this premises had onset of clinical signs on January 20.

For more information on equine strangles read this Fact Sheet from the EDCC/AAEP.

Information for this report was provided by the Equine Disease Communication Center.