The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ veterinary medical officer reported that one horse at a private facility in Marion County, Florida, has tested positive for strangles, with four additional horses exposed.
This case marks Florida’s 20th confirmed strangles case of 2026.
EDCC Health Watch is a marketing program by Equine Network that utilizes information from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) to create and distribute verified equine disease reports. The EDCC is an independent nonprofit organization supported by industry donations to provide open access to infectious disease information.
About Strangles
Strangles in horses is caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies equi and spreads through direct contact with other equids or contaminated surfaces. Infected horses can show a variety of clinical signs such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, nasal discharge, coughing, muscle swelling, and difficulty swallowing.
- Fever
- Swollen and/or abscessed lymph nodes
- Nasal discharge
- Coughing or wheezing
- Muscle swelling
- Difficulty swallowing
Veterinarians diagnose strangles using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and treat cases based on clinical signs, with antibiotics for severe cases. Overuse of antibiotics can hinder immunity development. Most horses recover fully in three to four weeks.
Although a vaccine is available, it may not always be effective. Implementing biosecurity measures like quarantining new horses and maintaining high hygiene standards can help prevent or contain strangles outbreaks.