Despite Spotlight On Equine ‘flu, Strangles Cases Continue To Rise
2 days ago 
118 views
Despite the focus on equine ‘flu outbreaks, as the highly infectious disease continues to be reported around the UK, strangles cases are also rising significantly, with 260 cases formally diagnosed within the first five months of the year1, which has surpassed the total number diagnosed in the whole of 2023.
Using data from the Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES), Dechra has calculated that if strangles continues to be diagnosed in line with the current rates (an average of 52 diagnoses per month) then it is predicted that there will 600 cases of strangles formally diagnosed during 2026, a rise of nearly a quarter year on year.
Both infectious diseases require good biosecurity and preventative measures and the collaborators behind the annual strangles campaign (Strangles Awareness Week) have put in place specific BEST procedures to help prevent and manage strangles outbreaks, including:
- Boost immunity with strangles vaccination
- Engage with trusted information
- Separate unfamiliar horses
- Temperature check routinely
The strangles vaccine, Strangvac®, protects up to 94 percent of horses2 from the disease and new studies3,4 have also highlighted the benefits of vaccination with Strangvac in the face of a strangles outbreak.
Dr Abigail McGlennon from the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) group, comments: “While ‘flu and strangles data are reported differently to reflect their distinct epidemiology (with ‘flu reported as outbreaks and strangles as laboratory diagnoses) both surveillance systems offer invaluable insights into UK equine health. To help keep their horses healthy, EIDS recommends that the equestrian community practices the four 'ates': Vaccinate to build immunity, Isolate new or returning horses, Investigate clinical signs early, and Communicate confirmed cases to other yards and owners, as well as to EIDS via their vet, to help us track and control disease spread.”
“Equine ‘flu and strangles are infectious diseases which spread rapidly and can bring the equine community to a standstill,” comments Dr Mary Battersby, veterinary surgeon and equine veterinary advisor at Dechra, the company behind the Strangvac vaccine. “Good biosecurity and preventative measures are essential to help tackle both diseases, particularly in light of owners traditionally being ‘out and about’ more with their horses over the summer.”
For information on strangles vaccination visit or contact your local Dechra equine territory manager.
References
- Surveillance of Equine Strangles (SES), January to May 2026
- Robinson et al, 2020, Vaccine. Strangvac: A recombinant fusion protein vaccine that protects against strangles, caused by Streptococcus equi. 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.01.030
- Rask, Erika et al. “Closing the Stable Door on Strangles: Serological Responses of Vaccinated Horses on a Farm Following the Arrival of a New Horse.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 15,24 3584. 13 Dec. 2025, doi:10.3390/ani15243584 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41463869/
- Gröndahl G, Righetti F, Aspán A, Bjerketorp J, Frosth S, Frykberg L, et al. Reining in strangles: absence of disease in horses vaccinated with a DIVA-compatible recombinant fusion protein vaccine, Strangvac, following natural exposure to Streptococcus equi subspecies equi. Equine Vet J. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.70125
More from Dechra