Source: Various
At the Salt Lake Regional Wild Horse and Burro Facility in Herriman, Utah, at least eleven horses have died from a strangles outbreak in the last two weeks. BLM officials are working with veterinarians to control the spread of the bacterial disease. Between 25 and 35 additional animals show symptoms and the entire facility of 500 horses is under quarantine until officials determine that the outbreak is under control.
A state veterinarian sought to reassure local horse owners that there was little risk that their animals could contract the disease. Some domestic horses have been vaccinated against it and most of them develop a natural immunity as youngsters from antibodies in their mothers milk.
Because of the outbreak, adoptions have been halted and will not resume until the quarantine is lifted.