Horse health experts are warning that, alongside ongoing concerns about equine influenza outbreaks across the UK, cases of strangles are also increasing significantly.
Within the first five months of this year alone, 260 cases have been formally diagnosed. This already exceeds the total number recorded throughout the whole of 2023.
Data from the Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES), analysed by veterinary pharmaceutical company Dechra, suggests that if the current trend continues—averaging around 52 confirmed diagnoses per month—total cases could reach approximately 600 by the end of 2026. This would represent an increase of nearly a quarter year on year.
Both equine influenza and strangles require strict biosecurity measures and proactive prevention strategies. Organisations involved in Strangles Awareness Week continue to promote guidance aimed at reducing the spread and impact of the disease.
Recommended measures include improving immunity through vaccination, using reliable information sources, isolating new or returning horses, and carrying out regular temperature monitoring.
The strangles vaccine, Strangvac, has been shown to protect up to 94% of vaccinated horses, with recent studies also highlighting its effectiveness in outbreak situations.
Dr Abigail McGlennon from the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) group explained that while flu and strangles data are recorded differently due to their distinct patterns—flu as outbreak events and strangles as laboratory-confirmed cases—both systems provide valuable insight into equine health in the UK.
She added that the EIDS encourages horse owners and yards to follow the four key actions: vaccinate to build immunity, isolate new or returning horses, investigate clinical signs early, and communicate confirmed cases promptly to other owners, yards, and through veterinary channels to support disease monitoring and control.
Dr Mary Battersby, equine veterinary advisor at Dechra, noted that increased horse movement during the warmer months can contribute to the spread of infectious diseases.
“Equine flu and strangles are highly contagious and can quickly disrupt the equestrian community,” she said.
“Strong biosecurity and preventative practices are especially important at this time of year, when horses are more frequently travelling and coming into contact with others.”
Remember, you can find tons of free and reputable guidance on all aspects of yard and equine biosecurity on the dedicated Biosecurity section of the Yard Owner Hub, including guidance about isolation, new arrivals policies, practical yard cleaning steps, advice on symptoms and treatment of cases and more. Reliable, no-strings advice to benefit yard owners and the horses in their care.