Horse tests positive for strangles disease in Guernsey

Guernsey horse owners have been asked to follow restriction advice after a horse suspected of having strangles disease tested positive.

The test results were released a week after they had been sent to the UK for analysis.

Strangles, prevalent in Europe and the UK, is a respiratory infection which affects horses, donkeys and ponies.

Owners have been asked to keep horses in isolation for a further week to prevent the disease spreading.

Further tests

The infected pony arrived with three other horses from the UK on 19 February.

The disease was first suspected on 27 February and all horses that had come into contact with the colt had been isolated by the morning.

The tests were carried out by the Animal Health Trust in the UK.

Further tests will follow before horses and yards can be declared disease free.