Strangles in horse studs: incidence, risk factors and effect of vaccination.

This research article is about a survey conducted on horse studs in New South Wales to determine the incidence, risk factors, and vaccination impacts of strangles, a highly contagious equine disease, during 1985-1988.

Survey Scope and Purpose

• The study covered a total of 179 horse studs in New South Wales, aiming to gauge the prevalence of strangles from 1985 to 1988, identify the disease’s risk factors, and evaluate the effectiveness of strangles vaccination.

Incidence of Strangles

• During this timeframe, 27.4% of the studs experienced at least one strangles outbreak, and 34.6% reported one instance of strangles. The average strangles occurrence was calculated to be 2.1 cases per 100 horses every year.

Risk Factors for Strangles

• The study found a positive correlation between the overall horse population and the risk of strangles, particularly noticeable when more than 100 mares were served in the 1988-89 season.
• The study also identified specific feeders, fences, and water sources associated with a higher likelihood of strangles outbreaks. These findings suggest that environmental factors could play a notable role in the spread of this infectious disease.

Vaccination Impact

• As per the data collected, 35.2% of the horse studs made use of the strangles vaccine, with 58.7% of these following the manufacturer’s recommended vaccination protocol.
• However, when other risk factors were weighed in, the study deduced that vaccination did not have a significant influence on reducing the chances of a strangles outbreak within the horse studs. Its efficacy in preventing strangles outbreaks appears to be insignificant with current evidence.