STRANGES UPDATE at HITS Chicago as of 7/11/24:
The 19 horses that have been in quarantine, excluding the one horse that had initially tested positive on July 1st, have all had 2 negative tests using PCR for streptoccous equi. Initial horse did not develop clinical signs associated with strangles, maintained a normal rectal temperature during her time in quarantine, and left the showgrounds the morning of Thursday July 11th. She was maintained in strict isolation and physically separate from all other horses during her time in quarantine.
The low exposure risk group of 5 horses had a second negative test performed the afternoon of Wednesday July 10th. They have had normal rectal temperatures, no nasal discharge, or lymph node swelling. Working with Dr. Katie Flynn, USEF’s Equine Health and Biosecurity Veterinarian, Dr. Marshall Stevens, show veterinarian, and show management the decision was made to allow the low exposure risk group of horses to begin to compete Friday, July 5th. The horses will remain stabled in tent 7.
The high exposure risk group of 14 horse will have a 3rd test on Monday July 15th, 2 weeks from exposure, and if all test negative and have no fever or nasal discharge, will be allowed to begin to compete Wednesday July 17th. Biosecurity measures will remain in effect for this group of horses until anticipated test results evening of Tuesday July 16th. The low and high exposure risk groups of horses stabled in tent 7 are physically distant and separated and have been since entering Tent 7 on July 2nd.
We ask that every barn continue to take the situation seriously and enforce biosecurity measures within their own stable.
               • Take temperatures of all horses twice daily and maintain a log. Temperature logs are available at the horse show office. Horses presenting with a temperature of more than 101.5 degrees F or any signs of respiratory or neurological disease should be reported to the show veterinarian and HITS management immediately.
               • Isolate any horse exhibiting symptoms or illness and report any cases to the show veterinarian and horse show management. Horses with symptoms will be moved to an on-site isolation area.
               • We recommend no sharing of equipment between horses including tack, accessories, and feed and water buckets.
               • Handlers should wash hands in between handling horses and maintain proper biosecurity protocols in the barn and at the rings.
               • Maintain distancing between horses at the ring and in the barn. No nose-to-nose contact between horses.