Equine Strangles Outbreak Prompts Fair Cancellations and Precautionary Measures in Northeast Wisconsin
核心洞察
The Equine Disease Communication Center has confirmed two cases of strangles (搜索) in Waupaca County and one case in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, this month.
Waupaca County canceled its 2026 fair equine exhibit and rescheduled the Horse & Pony Project show from late August to October as a precautionary measure.
The Brown County Fair reported no confirmed cases or direct contact with infected horses, with its veterinarian monitoring the equestrian exhibit daily.
A highly infectious equine disease known as strangles (搜索) has prompted precautionary cancellations and heightened monitoring at county fairs across Northeast Wisconsin, following confirmation of several cases in the region this month.
The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) has confirmed two cases of strangles (搜索) in Waupaca County and one case in Winnebago County. The disease spreads through direct horse-to-horse contact or when a horse comes into contact with a contaminated surface.
Disease Characteristics and Transmission
Strangles (搜索) is a contagious bacterial disease of horses caused by Streptococcus equi (搜索). According to a letter sent to Waupaca County Horse & Pony Project (WCH & PP) members, the pathogen "can spread through direct horse-to-horse contact and through contaminated equipment, buckets, grooming supplies, tack, clothing, hands and other materials."
Common symptoms associated with the disease include fever, abscesses in the throatlatch and below the jaw, nasal discharge, inflammation of the throat, wheezing, and coughing. According to the EDCC, most horses recover without antibiotic treatment.
Precautionary Measures at County Fairs
In response to the outbreak, Waupaca County made the decision not to allow any horses at its fair, instead planning a separate horse event on October 12. The Waupaca County Fair Manager, Richard Luedke, described the circumstances leading to the decision:
"We got a call from the state vet saying there's a possible exposure to one of the horses that might be coming to our fair that was in the same stable. The state and DATCP recommended that we postpone our event this week just for precaution, the safety of the horses."
Luedke added that it is not uncommon for traveling animals to spread disease, and that being mindful and taking precautions is part of the county fair business.
The 2026 Waupaca County Fair equine exhibit has been canceled, and the WCH & PP show originally scheduled for late August has been rescheduled for October. According to a letter from Waupaca County 4-H, this decision was a precautionary measure after one (possibly more) WCH & PP horse(s) were exposed to a confirmed case of equine strangles (搜索) in a neighboring county. The letter noted there are no confirmed cases of strangles among any WCH & PP horse, and did not state what county the exposure may have occurred in.
Brown County Fair Response
Some community members expressed concern that horses exposed to the disease had been sent to the Brown County Fair. In a written statement, the Brown County Fair addressed these allegations:
"The Brown County Fair has followed its standard procedures and protocols to ensure the safety of its participants and fair animals, including working with our local veterinarian who is also present at the fairgrounds daily. The veterinarian is aware of the allegations and has advised us that to his knowledge, no horse at the Brown County Fair has been in direct contact with a horse with (strangles (搜索)). Our veterinarian has been closely monitoring our equestrian exhibit for signs and symptoms of illness and has not observed any symptoms, nor have there been any confirmed cases of illness on the fairgrounds. We take the safety and health of our participants seriously and will continue to monitor the situation."
The Brown County Fair concluded on Sunday, while the Waupaca County Fair was scheduled to run from Tuesday through the following Sunday. The Waupaca County Fair is scheduled for August 25–30 in Weyauwega.