The importance of minimizing exposure to infectious agents and optimizing resistance of an animal to them cannot be overemphasized. In addition to vaccination and the use of antimicrobials, infection control strategies can help save the lives of horses whether the program is developed for a farm or veterinary clinic. During the General Medicine session, Josie Traub-Dargatz, DVM, MS, presented “Infection Control Strategies for Horses in the New Millenium” about the need for a plan of action to prevent the spread of disease.

Preventing the spread of an infectious disease can save time and money. The economic impact of an outbreak is felt through expenses incurred while trying to control the outbreak and treat infected horses, lost use of the animals, lost income for the operation if movement or value of the horses is impacted, and lost value of animals that die. The impact of an infectious disease depends on:

• The number of animals affected;


• Morbidity and mortality;


• The ability to prevent further spread or future outbreaks;


• Limits placed on movement of horses onto and off of the affected premises; and


• Loss of confidence and business of those who would bring their animal to the premises.

The first step in controlling the spread of infectious disease on an operation involves determining what diseases a program needs to control and learning the characteristics of that disease (i.e., how it is spread).

Next, caretakers should group animals based on their infection status. For instance, animals that are sick from one disease should be grouped together, while animals at risk of shedding a virus (such as those returning from a show that have been exposed to other horses and possible pathogens) would be housed in another area. These animals should be monitored daily with someone taking and recording rectal temperatures, thus making early detection of a problem easier. Healthy horses should be housed together but as far away from infectious animals as possible