Clinical observations on an outbreak of strangles.

The study observes an outbreak of strangles, a bacterial infection in horses, that occurred on a stud farm in Alberta in 1980. It suggests that the infectious organism, Streptococcus equi, might have been introduced by an outside mare brought to the farm for breeding, and that despite efforts to prevent spread, all horse groups on the farm were affected, leading to ten deaths.

Outbreak of Disease

• The study focuses on an outbreak of a disease called strangles, a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi, that affected a stud farm in eastern Alberta in 1980.
• The outbreak occurred during the spring, summer, and fall, affecting all groups of horses on the farm.

Cause of Outbreak

• The study suggests that the source of the outbreak could be traced back to an outside mare brought to the stud for the purpose of breeding.
• It is hypothesized that this mare was carrying the infective organism, Streptococcus equi, which then spread to other horses on the stud farm.

Management of Disease

• The researchers indicate that, in the majority of cases, the disease was allowed to follow its natural course.
• Only those horses that were severely affected by the outbreak were given treatment, though the specifics of the treatment are not detailed.

Preventive Measures and Outcome

• In an attempt to mitigate the spread of the outbreak, the foals on the farm were prophylactically given penicillin to prevent them from contracting strangles. Prophylaxis is a preventative measure taken to fend off diseases.
• Despite preventive and management efforts, the outbreak led to ten fatalities due to complications arising from strangles infection.