The Oregon State Department of Agriculture has reported new cases of equine pigeon fever. In Deschutes County, one horse has tested positive and two horses are suspected to be positive. In Morrow County, two horses have tested positive and one horse has been exposed.
EDCC Health Watch is a marketing program by Equine Network that uses information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and share verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is a nonprofit organization supported by industry donations to provide accessible infectious disease information.
About Pigeon Fever
Pigeon fever is a bacterial infection that affects cattle and horses, causing large abscesses, typically on the chest and under the belly. Horses get infected when bacteria enter through wounds or scrapes. The peak season for infection is late summer to fall.
Maintaining good horse health practices is crucial to prevent the spread of pigeon fever. These practices include:
- Fly control;
- Avoiding sharing water buckets or equipment;
- Avoiding tying horses in high-traffic areas.
If a horse owner suspects their animal is affected, they should contact their veterinarian.