Summerland Rodeo Grounds Shuts Down Equestrian Activities Amid Strangles Outbreak

The Summerland Rodeo Grounds is closed to equestrian events due to an outbreak of the strangles infection in the Okanagan Valley. Strangles, a bacterial infection, is a highly contagious disease that affects horses. The disease targets the respiratory system and is spread through contact with other horses. The infection has been identified in Kelowna and West Kelowna, resulting in stables to impose lockdown measures. At least two other Okanagan facilities have suspected cases of the infection. The Summerland Rodeo Grounds is taking action to prevent the infection in Summerland. The facility is now closed to all equestrian activities. “We hope that the outbreak is successfully eliminated and that we are able to reopen and return to our spring series of events soon,” a message from the Summerland Rodeo Grounds Equine Development Committee reads. “We urge everyone to closely monitor the situation ad follow all recommended bio-security protocols.” In addition to the outbreak in the Okanagan Valley, several outbreaks have been reported in southern Ontario. Stables and horse facilities have been coping by removing infected horses from the rest of the herd, using strict cleaning, disinfection and hygiene measures and imposing lockdowns and quarantines.