Strangles, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi, is one of the most frequently diagnosed infectious diseases of horses across the world. It is highly contagious and is one of the most common equine respiratory diseases in the UK, with an estimated 600 outbreaks in the UK alone.

Here we are joined by Andrew Waller, chief scientific officer at Intervacc AB, the company that developed the strangles vaccine, Strangvac.

He will be talking to us about vaccination guidelines in the face of a strangles outbreak and how vaccination, alongside good stable management and biosecurity procedures, can play a really important role in improving herd immunity and reducing the number of strangles cases in the equine population, thereby preventing major economic loss to the equestrian industry.

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𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗪 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗦𝗰, 𝗣𝗵𝗗

Andrew studied the evolution, transmission and prevention of Streptococcus equi for more than 17 years in his role as head of bacteriology at the AHT.

He collaborates with world-leading researchers in more than 20 countries around the world and has published more than 80 peer-reviewed papers on streptococcal infections of animals, using these research findings to develop novel diagnostic tests and vaccines with which to improve animal health.

Dr Waller joined Intervacc AB in Stockholm, Sweden, as chief scientific officer in 2020, where he continues to work towards making the lives of animals better.

He wrote a Spotlight feature in Vet Times (Volume 53, Issue 17, Pages 10-12) called “Ending the nightmare of strangles”. Read it at https://bit.ly/3NI0Roz.

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𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗘𝗗

This podcast is brought to you by Dechra, which markets the ground-breaking protein-based strangles vaccine for horses and ponies, Strangvac.

Strangvac is the first and only intramuscular vaccine to help protect against strangles, which is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi, and trials demonstrate that Strangvac can protect up to 94% of horses by reducing the clinical signs of the disease.

For more information contact your local Dechra territory sales manager or visit www.dechra.co.uk/equine/vaccines