An outbreak of equine neonatal salmonellosis

California Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.

An outbreak of salmonellosis in foals occurred on a large Thoroughbred farm in California. Only foals less than 8 days of age exhibited clinical signs, which included depression, anorexia, and diarrhea. Three foals died from septicemia. The agent responsible was Salmonella ohio, which is rarely involved in salmonellosis in horses. During the course of the outbreak, S. ohio was isolated from 27 of 97 mares (27.8%) and 34 of 97 foals (35.1%). Mares were the presumed source of infection for foals. The absence of clinical signs in mares allowed for increased exposure of foals through environmental contamination. Although foals continued to become infected after strict control measures were adopted, none became ill. Salmonella serotypes of seemingly low virulence can produce serious disease outbreaks.