Calls for wider vaccination as equine strangles cases rise
EIDS says this is likely a genuine increase rather than year-on-year variation.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have called for better biosecurity and wider vaccinations, as equine strangles cases rise significantly.
Statistics from the Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES) network have confirmed over 370 cases so far in 2025. This has surpassed the UK annual average of approximately 300 cases.
The data has been collected by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) throughout 2025. Researchers say that, because the number of positive cases is significantly higher than previous years, it is likely a genuine increase rather than a year-on-year variation.
In response to these statistics, both EIDS and the SES network have called for veterinary professionals and horse owners to improve yard management practices.
Among the necessary actions highlighted are the isolation of new arrivals, disinfecting shared equipment, and post-outbreak screening. The groups say that even these actions alone can support the control of highly infectious disease.
The University of Cambridge also advocates the use of vaccination to protect horses against strangles. It says, combined with hygiene and regular temperature checking, vaccines can reduce risk of infection and onward spread.
The university refers to a recent study, conducted by EIDS and the Royal Veterinary College, which explored how Streptococcus equi spreads across the UK.
The project tracked the genetic relatedness of S. equi strains from horses between 2016 and 2022, revealing a significant and rapid change in the S. equi population structure during this period. This suggested that acutely affected or recently recovered short-term carrier horses play a more important in transmission than long-term carriers.
Abigail McGlennon, from the SES network, said: “Our data shows how easily this disease can move across regions through potential links such as shared horse transport, events/competitions, and buying and selling horses. Post-outbreak screening, sufficient quarantine and screening of new arrivals and routine biosecurity measures are essential to preventing wider transmission.”
She added: “We now have more tools than ever to protect horses, but knowledge must be matched by action. Prevention, early detection, and vaccination together can help to reduce the impact of strangles.”
EIDS has shared resources for identifying strangles and improving prevention in yards on their information page.
Image © accepttphoto/Shutterstock.com
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
