Reported strangles cases are currently confined to the thoroughbred sector. The Waikato cluster is largely contained. A small cluster has also emerged in Taranaki, with two confirmed cases and eight suspected cases in isolation.
Sam Fursdon, General Manager -Welfare and Industry Capability at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has renewed its pre-movement testing regime to help prevent further spread, but continued vigilance and good biosecurity practices remain key to limiting further spread.
A new and more infectious strain
Veterinarians treating these cases report that strangles appears more infectious than they have seen previously. The organism has now been typed, and experts advise that this strain of Streptococcus equi has not been identified in New Zealand before. They believe New Zealand horses have little immunity to it.
Vaccine request to MPI
A newer vaccine is available overseas that protects against this strain. It is not yet registered for use in New Zealand. Because it is recognised as offering better protection, the equine industry is asking MPI to fast-track registration so that enough doses arrive in time to protect yearlings before the main yearling sales in the last week of January 2027.
Why sales and gatherings are a priority
Live sale events are considered very high-risk for disease spread, so maximising immunity in yearlings and ensuring excellent biosecurity awareness and practice are priorities.
Sales are not the only risk. Any gathering of horses is high-risk. Although cases have so far been identified only in thoroughbreds, non-racing horses that have had contact with an infected thoroughbred could catch strangles and expose other horses to infection at any equine event.
What horse owners and managers should do
Monitor temperatures: Check all horses regularly for any change in body temperature before any movement.
Isolate fevers: Any horse with a temperature above 38.5°C must be isolated and must not be moved.
Separate new arrivals: Keep all horses arriving at stables apart from resident horses, and take their temperatures twice a day.
Need to know more?
This is the link to all NZTR strangles information and resources https://nztr.co.nz/strangles
Concerned about your horse?
Contact your local equine veterinarian.
Updates will be posted when there is something materially new to report.
This update comes from Dr Patricia Pearce - Executive Advisor for the New Zealand Equine Health Association
