TY - JOUR

T1 - The hygienic aspects in the management of strangles

AU - Fridberg, Alberte

AU - Adler, Ditte Marie Top

AU - Jørgensen, Marianne Green

AU - Olsen, Rikke Heidemann

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Education published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) is a frequently encountered pathogen in equine practice. S. equi causes infection of the upper airways of horses, a condition known as strangles. Strangles is a highly contagious disease and may be economically devastating as well. Difficulties in the eradication of the disease using vaccines and medical treatments make hygienic measures crucial in order to limit transmission of the pathogen during outbreaks. This review aims to elucidate the challenges in handling an outbreak of strangles as well as develop a basic plan on how such an outbreak is handled in a hygienically optimal fashion. The results of this review suggest a longer environmental survival time of S. equi than previously assumed and support the importance of modification of surfaces for proper disinfection with appropriate disinfectants. Furthermore, the efficiency of using a colour-coding system in dividing healthy, exposed and clinically affected horses is discussed. Individual temperature monitoring twice daily is recommended for the identification of diseased horses before they pose a contagious risk. Additionally, changing clothes between visiting different stable units is likewise recommended, to minimise transmission of disease. In conclusion, veterinarians, personnel and horse owners at equestrian centres need to be aware of the importance of isolation, monitoring and dividing the site into zones according to the risk of infection. Finally, it can be concluded that regardless of size, practical biosecurity measures can be implemented within all equine facilities.

AB - Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (S. equi) is a frequently encountered pathogen in equine practice. S. equi causes infection of the upper airways of horses, a condition known as strangles. Strangles is a highly contagious disease and may be economically devastating as well. Difficulties in the eradication of the disease using vaccines and medical treatments make hygienic measures crucial in order to limit transmission of the pathogen during outbreaks. This review aims to elucidate the challenges in handling an outbreak of strangles as well as develop a basic plan on how such an outbreak is handled in a hygienically optimal fashion. The results of this review suggest a longer environmental survival time of S. equi than previously assumed and support the importance of modification of surfaces for proper disinfection with appropriate disinfectants. Furthermore, the efficiency of using a colour-coding system in dividing healthy, exposed and clinically affected horses is discussed. Individual temperature monitoring twice daily is recommended for the identification of diseased horses before they pose a contagious risk. Additionally, changing clothes between visiting different stable units is likewise recommended, to minimise transmission of disease. In conclusion, veterinarians, personnel and horse owners at equestrian centres need to be aware of the importance of isolation, monitoring and dividing the site into zones according to the risk of infection. Finally, it can be concluded that regardless of size, practical biosecurity measures can be implemented within all equine facilities.

KW - epidemiology

KW - horse, biosecurity

KW - hygiene

KW - hygienic measures, outbreak management

KW - prevention, Strangles

KW - Streptococcus equi subsp. equi

U2 - 10.1111/eve.13794

DO - 10.1111/eve.13794

M3 - Review

AN - SCOPUS:85151984408

VL - 35

SP - 540

EP - 550

JO - Equine Veterinary Education

JF - Equine Veterinary Education

SN - 0957-7734

IS - 10

ER -