07/07/2026
๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ฐ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ
You may have heard there is currently a strangles outbreak in the Waikato.
The latest NZVA Equine Veterinarians update from 6 July confirms that affected properties have increased over the past week, with the outbreak mainly involving training and pre-training properties, and some stud farms. At this stage it is still considered isolated to the Waikato region, with one well-contained Auckland property directly linked to the Waikato outbreak.
There are currently ๐ง๐จ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ ๐ฏ๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ฅ๐ through the main NZ suppliers, although more vaccine is expected later this month. Weโll keep clients updated as that changes.
For now, the key message is good biosecurity and early monitoring.
Please be extra cautious if your horse has recently travelled, is due to travel, or has had contact with horses from the Waikato or racing/training environments.
Watch for:
โข fever
โข nasal discharge
โข coughing
โข swollen glands under the jaw
โข horses going off feed or seeming dull
If you are worried, please phone us before bringing your horse to the clinic so we can give the right advice and reduce the risk of spread.
If you need to check temperatures before travelling or floating horses, get in touch with the clinic and we can help talk you through the best approach.
Thanks everyone โ this is an evolving situation, and weโll continue to follow NZVA and industry updates closely.
