An equestrian event in northwest Florida has been canceled after an outbreak of pigeon fever was reported in late May in surrounding counties. What was once considered a disease of California horses, pigeon fever is now a growing problem throughout the United States, with outbreaks in Oregon, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho, Florida, and several Midwestern and Eastern states.
Disease spreading horse flies
Since pigeon fever is spread to horses by flies, authorities recommend that horse owners and trainers use fly control on horses prior to travel.
© 2012 by Carien Schippers
At this time the Florida Division of Animal Industry is not recommending that horse shows or camps be cancelled due to the pigeon fever cases in the panhandle. Since pigeon fever is primarily spread to horses by flies, they are recommending that horse owners and trainers use fly control on horses prior to traveling to shows, camps or other events. Also all horses should be checked to make sure they appear healthy with no abnormal swellings, fevers or other clinical signs consistent with pigeon fever.
For those owners traveling from the affected areas, it is also recommended that they clean and disinfect their trailer and equipment before going to an event. For those with active cases of the fever, it is recommended that no horses travel to events until all clinical signs have resolved and any abscesses have drained and healed.
Pigeon fever is sometimes called dry-land distemper because it frequently occurs in the western United States. Drought conditions seem to encourage outbreaks of this disease. North Florida is still experiencing a moderate to severe drought making conditions favorable for an outbreak. Currently, there have been more than 40 cases in north Okaloosa and north Walton counties and recently, a couple of suspect cases in south Okaloosa County.
Since no vaccine exists, the only prevention is fly control, good sanitation and proper wound care. Isolating infected horses and disposing of contaminated bedding are recommended. Decrease fly populations by using fly sprays, feed-through fly control, fly parasites or adult fly traps.
Fortunately, pigeon fever is seldom fatal, and most horses recover within a week or two.
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