The Equine Disease Communication Centre (EDCC) has reported that a case of equine strangles has been confirmed in three horses — including two Standardbreds — located in Ontario.
As reported to EDCC on Dec. 10, two Standardbreds — one who hasn't raced since June 2025 and another who last raced 11 days ago — developed a high fever and submandibular lymph node swelling at a training centre in Middlesex County. Both horses tested positive for S. equi by PCR. A pony in the same shedrow with a draining abscess also tested positive for S. equi.
The infected horses are isolated and their care is being supervised by attending veterinarians. Trainers in the affected part of the barn have voluntarily withdrawn their horses from racing and are monitoring horses for fevers and the development of clinical signs of Strangles. Trainers at the facility are working with their veterinarians to institute biosecurity protocols
(With files from EDCC; Horse pictured does not have strangles)