Norfolk equine centre closes amid strangles outbreak
The outbreak was first reported in a new arrival on 5 February.
An equine rescue and rehoming centre in Norfolk has closed following an outbreak of strangles among its resident horses.
Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre, located in Snetterton, has suspended all movement of horses in and out of the farm as it works to prevent the spread of the respiratory disease.
The outbreak was first reported on 5 February, after a recent arrival to the centre tested positive for the highly infectious disease. The affected horse was put into isolation from the herd until it was no longer infectious.
However, following further cases on site, the centre has now been closed to visitors as a precautionary measure.
World Horse Welfare has cancelled all of its planned equestrian events, including a pole clinic. Rehoming will also be suspended until the centre is clear from infection.
While it is not a notifiable disease, strangles is a highly infectious respiratory condition affecting the horse’s upper respiratory tract.
World Horse Welfare says that its team is experienced in managing the disease, and is taking robust action to prevent the spread and protect the wider equine population. Animals which have contracted the disease are receiving treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.
Hall Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre says that it will not hire out the venue for any equine until it is 100 per cent confident there is no further risk.
Malcolm Morley, World Horse Welfare’s director of UK support, said: “Given the nature of the horses World Horse Welfare helps, cases like this are not unexpected, and the team have well-rehearsed biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of disease spread.
“Whilst the risk of strangles spreading off the farm by visitors is extremely low, we felt we should take this additional step and close our doors to visitors whilst we investigate.
“We would like to apologise to everyone who had planned to visit Hall Farm this half term and reassure those who have visited recently that the disease poses no risk to humans.”
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Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
