3 Manatee locations quarantined to prevent spread of contagious horse disease

Four horses began to exhibit signs of strangles after a trail ride event in Citrus County. Now, three premises in Manatee County are under quarantine to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease.

Strangles is characterized by fever, coughing, difficulty swallowing and inflammation of the throat, among other things, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center.

The horses began to show signs of the disease Nov. 18 after a trail ride event in Citrus County, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Three premises, whose locations were not released, were later quarantined.

The EDCC says these are the first reported cases of strangles in the county this year, bringing Florida’s total number of strangles cases to 40 in 2017.

Humans and other animals should steer clear of horses that have been diagnosed with the disease. Strangles can be transmitted by direct and indirect contact.

However, strangles is rarely fatal and most horses are exposed or infected at a young age, the EDCC said. Antibiotics given during the early stages should be enough to drive the disease away and if not, horses typically make a full recovery in three or four weeks.

This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 4:07 PM with the headline "3 Manatee locations quarantined to prevent spread of contagious horse disease."