Strangles and Influenza

Horowhenua Chronicle, 29 September 1911, Page 4

Strangles and Influenza

(By Mr C. J. Reakes in Agricultural Journal.'

Much comment ilias been made in Australia, particularly in Victoria, upon the alleged prevalence of strangles and influenza among horses imported there from New Zealand. The question was ventilated at a farmers' convention held in Vitcoria. in July, and on this coming to my knowledge 1 at once cabled to the Director »of Agriculture in Victoria for information on the point. He replied to the effect that the diseases complained of were influenza and strangles, with an unusual nro-

portion of complications in the form of pneumonia; and, in the case of mares, of abortion. Though these diseases are not scheduled ini either the New Zealand or Australian Acts, the Ins>pectors at our ports have done their best to prevent openly affected horses from 'heing shipped The difficulty however, lies in the fact that horses may go on board sliip with one or other of these diseases affecting them only in the stage of incubation, when no distinct outward symptoms are observable. The disease develops during tilie voyage, and before port is readied has spread to others. The conditions under which horses have to be carried on board inter-colonial boats are unavoidably favourable to the spread of contagious diseases such as these, seeing that any number of horses cannot be carried- oat deck, and consequently (have to be housed below. The steamship "companies are doing their best in the matter by arranging for the disinfection, each voyage, of the holds used for carrying horses; and it is hoped that shippers will co-operate with port inspectors in doing their best to insure tlrat no affected horses are sent to our ports for shipment. Tt must be remembered that cases of strangles .and influenza, which, under farm conditions, would be only of a mild nature, may quite well become severe and' complicated with pneumonia when the animal is kept for some days with many others in a blip's hold, under, in rough weather especially, necessarily adverse conditions as* regards the provision of ample ventilation. Neither strangles nor influenza cause really serious trouble in this country; the first-named is certainly prevalent, but usually in only a mild form, thanks to the healthy outdoor life led by our young horses; and outbreaks' of true influenza are infrequent, and then usually only among horses kept in tibe larger cities.