Various vaccines have been developed for strangles. These vaccines may help reduce the severity of symptoms, shorten the duration of the disease, and reduce by 50 percent the chances of infection during an outbreak. However, vaccination often causes a reaction at the site of injection and is recommended only for horses on farms, for horses in areas that have experienced outbreaks, or for horses being transported to areas considered to be at high risk.
Streptococcus equi is killed by sunlight, disinfectant, or desiccation. Surfaces and equipment that have come into contact with infected horses should be thoroughly cleaned. Horses with strangles should be strictly isolated.
