Thistledown Quarantines Barns Amid Strangles Case

The Ohio State Racing Commission confirmed May 11 a case of strangles at Thistledown. 

The track's overnight stated three barns are under quarantine and no horses are allowed on or off the grounds until further notice.



OSRC deputy director Tanya Boulmetis, in an email on Wednesday, said the "affected barns remain under quarantine." She added, "Horses are not allowed in or out at this time. We are waiting for the results on horses that were swabbed yesterday. It is our understanding we should be receiving those results late this afternoon."

As the situation is fluid, the OSRC will communicate updates as necessary.

According to the University of California-Davis Center for Equine Health, strangles is a highly contagious bacterial disease caused by Streptococcus equi. It results in swelling of the horse's lymph nodes and the presence of abscesses on the head and neck. Additional symptoms include lethargy, anorexia, fever, and nasal discharge.

The severity of the disease varies but younger horses often show more severe symptoms than older horses. Horses can become infected by inhaling or ingestion of the bacteria as well as touching contaminated items or equipment. Strangles takes three to eight days to incubate. 

There is disagreement among veterinarians about whether antibiotics should be administered as treatment. 

Full recovery takes three to six weeks, and UC Davis approximates 70-75% of infected horses develop immunity to the disease that lasts for at least five years.