The following recommendations are made by Stoney Creek Equine Veterinary Services in Berville, Michigan, by the office of the state veterinarian at the Michigan Department of Agriculture, and by Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, regarding horses exposed to Streptococcus equi (Strangles), a highly contagious upper respiratory tract infection characterized by high fever, large amounts of nasal discharge, and enlarged lymph nodes. 

1.      Horses that have been exposed to the disease (i.e. in close contact with an infected horse) can carry the disease without showing clinical signs for at least 6-8 weeks.  These horses can be a source of infection to others and should not be moved from the barn at which they are housed until they either A) have had 3 nasal/pharyngeal cultures negative for S. equi taken 1-2 days apart or B) have shown no signs of disease for a minimum of 4 weeks following the last known exposure.  This includes horses stabled at the same barn as an infected horse.

2.      Barns that have housed an infected horse should be thoroughly cleaned.  All fecal material from the affected animal should be removed and stalls cleaned with a phenol compound or chlorhexidine solution.  Particular attention should be addressed to water buckets/troughs. 

Any questions regarding this statement should be directed to Dr. Marteniuk (517-353-9710) or Stoney Creek Equine (586-784-9500).