The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) offers alerts about equine diseases that have been confirmed by reliable sources. The following information is from the EDCC.
Strangles in Osceola County, Florida
On May 26, one premise in Osceola County, Florida was placed under quarantine for clinical signs of strangles. The index case became clinical around May 20. None of the six horses on the premises have left the premises since clinical signs began. This the first case for Osceola County and case 22 for Florida in 2017.
More information can be found from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Boise, Idaho, BLM Strangles
On May 24, 2017, the Bureau of Land Management announced the temporary suspension of wild horse and burro adoptions at the Boise BLM Wild Horse Corrals due to the presence of strangles (equine distemper) in several horses. Horses showing sickness were first observed on May 17.
Laboratory testing confirmed the presence of Streptococcus equi equi in one horse, with six others being symptomatic. There are currently 133 animals in the facility. Affected animals are being treated by a veterinarian and showing signs of improvement.
BLM has temporarily closed the corrals to adoptions and visitors as a precaution to prevent the spread of the disease.
For more information or to adopt a wild horse or burro the public may contact the BLM Boise District Office at 208-384-3300 to provide their contact information. They will be contacted to schedule an appointment after the corrals reopen for adoptions.
For more information visit the BLM website.
About EDCC
The Equine Disease Communication Center works to protect horses and the horse industry from the threat of infectious diseases in North America. The communication system is designed to seek and report real time information about disease outbreaks similar to how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerts the human population about diseases in people.
The goal of the EDCC is to alert the horse industry about disease outbreak information to help mitigate and prevent the spread of disease. Ultimately frequent and accurate information about diseases outbreaks improves horse welfare and helps to prevent negative economic impact that can result from decreased horse use due to a fear of spreading infection. As part of the National Equine Health Plan the EDCC will serve as part of the communication to help educate and promote research about endemic and foreign disease.
The EDCC is made possible by generous donations from organizations and horse owners. Please visit our sponsors that have generously supported this program for the benefit of the health and welfare of horses. To learn how you can help go to SUPPORT.
Working in cooperation with state animal health officials and the United State Department of Agriculture, the EDCC seeks information about current disease outbreaks from news media, social media, official state reports and veterinary practitioners. Once information is confirmed, it is immediately posted on this website and messages sent to all states and horse organizations by email. Daily updates are posted until each outbreak is contained or deemed no longer a threat.
